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U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

ý

 

ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

OR

 

 

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

 

 

For the transition period from        to        

 

Commission File Number: 001-15667

 

PRECIS, INC.

(Exact name of business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

OKLAHOMA

 

73-1494382

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

2040 N. HWY 360

GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS 75050

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

(866) 578-1665

(Issuer’s telephone number)

 


 

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

 

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value

 

Indicate by check mark whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý  No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Yes ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) Yes ¨  No x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2004 (the last business day of our most recent second fiscal quarter), was $20,872,394 based on the closing sale price on that date.

 

As of April 13, 2005, 12,011,843 shares of the issuer’s common stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

 

 



 

PRECIS, INC.

FORM 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

Part I.

 

3

Item 1.

Description of Business

3

Item 2.

Description of Properties

20

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

20

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

22

 

 

 

Part II.

 

22

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

22

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

25

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

26

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

37

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

37

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

38

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

38

Item 9B

Other Information

39

 

 

 

Part III.

 

39

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

39

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

43

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

48

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

50

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

51

 

 

 

Part IV.

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

51

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

53

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

Certain statements under the captions “Item 1. Description of Business,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this report constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain, but not necessarily all, of such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” or “should” or other variations thereon, or by discussions of strategies that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results or industry results may be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are described under the heading “Additional Factors That May Affect Our Future Results” and include general economic and business conditions, our ability to implement our business strategies, competition, availability of key personnel, increasing operating costs, unsuccessful promotional efforts, changes in brand awareness, acceptance of new product offerings, retention of members and independent marketing representatives and changes in, or the failure to comply with government regulations.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

Precis, Inc. (“Precis, we or the Company”) primarily offers memberships in programs that offer savings on a wide range of healthcare services. Substantially all of our revenue is derived from our healthcare membership savings programs, which is our primary business segment. See Note 15 – Segmented Information in the Financial Statements included herein. For the year ended December 31, 2004, 86.1% of our consolidated revenue was from our healthcare membership savings programs. The remaining 13.9%  is derived primarily from providing full third party administration services to adjudicate and pay medical claims for employers who have self-funded at least a portion of their healthcare costs.

 

Our programs offer savings on healthcare services to persons who are un-insured, under-insured, or who have elected to purchase only high deductible or limited benefit medical insurance policies, by providing access to the same preferred provider organizations (PPOs) that are utilized by many insurance companies and employers who self-fund at least a portion of their employees’ healthcare risk. These programs are sold primarily through a network marketing strategy under the name Care Entrée™, but are also offered through resellers who have privately labeled or co-branded the Care Entrée™ services and through employers as part of an employee benefit plan.

 

We design these programs to benefit healthcare providers as well as our program members. Providers commonly give reduced or preferred rates to PPO networks in exchange for steerage of patients. However, the providers must still file claim forms and wait 30 to 60 days to be paid for their services. Our programs utilize these same provider networks to obtain the same savings for the Care Entrée™ program members. However, the healthcare providers are paid much more promptly and without the oversight of the typical claims review processes of an insurance company. We provide transaction facilitation services to both the program member and the healthcare provider.

 

We also offer full third party administration services through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Access HealthSource, Inc., (“Access”).  Access helps us offer a more complete suite of healthcare services. We are now able to provide individuals and employee groups access to preferred provider networks, medical escrow accounts and full third party administration capabilities to adjudicate and pay medical claims.  We acquired Access in the second quarter of 2004 and its results of operations have contributed favorably to our consolidated results.  Access has successfully secured multi-year contracts on favorable terms with its two largest clients and has brought us a stable source of revenue.  Moreover, we have realized certain intangible benefits from the acquisition.  For instance, we have broadened the management responsibilities of several members of Access’ management team to company-wide roles.  Our new Chief Operating Officer, Frank Apodaca, is the President and C.E.O. of Access and he will be implementing, on a company-wide basis, operational controls that have been successful at Access.

 

2004 was a difficult year for the Company.  The combination of decreasing revenues resulting from a more complex escrow-based healthcare savings product, a frustrated independent marketing sales force, and increased expenses from, among other things, new compensatory sales initiatives produced an operating loss.  We discuss these results in detail throughout this report.  In the first quarter of 2005, we have undertaken measures and initiatives to improve our operating performance.  These measures and initiatives include (i) the integration of Access management members with our management team, as mentioned above, (ii) the termination of certain equipment capital leases, (iii) other cost reduction actions, and (iv) exploration of additional products to compliment our core healthcare savings product and offer additional compensatory incentives to our independent marketing representatives.

 

INDUSTRY OVERVIEWS

 

CONSUMER HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.  The healthcare industry remains in a state of turmoil and crisis. It is estimated that 15.6% of all Americans, or 45.0 million individuals, were without health insurance coverage in 2003, up from 15.2% in 2002, an increase of 1.4 million people. [Source: “U.S. Census Bureau Statistics” published by the U.S. Department of Commerce.] The percentage of people working full-time without health insurance in 2003 was 17.5%, an increase from 16.8% in 2002. [Source: “U.S. Census Bureau Statistics” published by U.S. Department of Commerce] Nationally, healthcare expenditures topped $1.7 trillion in 2003, up from $1.2 trillion since 1999, [Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.]

 

At the workplace, the trends are equally problematic. Between 2003 and 2004, monthly premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose 11.2%, the fourth consecutive year of double-digit premium increases. The increases

 

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are hitting small employers (under 200 workers) particularly hard. These small firms are more likely to have experienced an increase in premiums greater than 15%. These costs are not only being felt by the employer, but also by the employees. The average monthly worker contribution for single and family healthcare coverage rose from $8 and $52, respectively, in 1988 to $47 and $222 in 2004. All told, the average monthly premiums for single and family coverage (including worker and employer share of premium) are $308 and $829 respectively. The cost of family coverage is now nearly $9,950 per year. Not surprisingly, employers are looking for alternatives. In 2004, 56% of employers reported that they shopped for a different healthcare arrangement. [Source: “Employer Health Benefits 2004 Summary of Findings”, published by the Kaiser Family Foundation]

 

Over utilization of the healthcare system is one of the factors behind these trends. American citizens are utilizing healthcare services at an ever-increasing rate. Behind this phenomenon is the fact that insurance plans and healthcare management organizations are structured to encourage usage. Small co-payments, generally from $10 or $15 per office visit, encourage insured consumers to use the healthcare system more frequently because they do not perceive themselves ultimately as having to pay the full costs of the medical services received.

 

A number of insurers have pulled out of certain states, due to state regulations that no longer provide for a viable operating environment for many insurance companies. As a result of these health coverage cancellations, those formerly insured individuals and families are required to pay more for their insurance coverage, cannot obtain any coverage because of pre-existing conditions, or simply remain uninsured for healthcare.

 

Corporate America has been hit hard by escalating insurance costs and many companies are reacting by shifting the cost of insurance coverage to employees or cutting benefits. Fifty two percent (52%) of large companies (200 or more workers) report they are very or somewhat likely to increase their employee’s share of the costs of healthcare in 2004. [Source: “Employer Health Benefits 2004 Summary of Findings,” published by The Kaiser Family Foundation.] This creates a dilemma for the employer, it being difficult to attract and hire quality personnel without providing health benefits at a reasonable cost to the employee, while the cost of providing employee healthcare benefits may be prohibitive or unaffordable.

 

Tensions between medical providers and the payors are also escalating. The medical decision is often no longer in the hands of the doctor and the patient. Rather, administrators at healthcare management organizations and insurance companies determine the procedures to be performed. Doctors and hospitals, having experienced decreases in their income and profits, are demanding higher compensation, particularly from the healthcare management organizations.

 

As a result, more Americans are being forced to self-insure and pay a growing portion of the cost of their healthcare. Some are entirely uninsured. Others can only afford or choose only a high deductible or limited benefit health insurance policy. In either case, this patient population increasingly forgoes medical procedures or relies on emergency care for its healthcare needs and often incurs prohibitive expenses. Additionally, costs of healthcare (in doctors’ offices and hospitals) for this patient population are often far higher than the amount an insured and the insurance company would pay for the same healthcare services for its insureds. The uninsured and underinsured patients have had no one to negotiate healthcare service costs on their behalf.

 

Additionally, the Bush administration has recently proposed federal legislation which would allow individuals who establish Health Savings Accounts (“HSAs”) to deduct from their income taxes the premiums they pay for their high-deductible polices, thus reducing the net cost of those policies.  Individuals who set up HSAs can save substantial sums on their health insurance and their taxes.  Moreover, HSAs are expected to give Americans more control over their health care spending.  President Bush has also proposed giving low-income families a $1,000 contribution made directly to their HSA, along with a $2,000 refundable tax credit to help purchase healthcare insurance covering major medical expenses.

 

OUR CONSUMER HEALTHCARE SAVINGS SOLUTION—CARE ENTRÉE™

 

Our consumer healthcare savings membership programs are offered under the trade name of Care Entrée™ and are designed in response to rising healthcare costs and the growing number of people that can no longer afford insurance coverage. Our healthcare savings programs are based upon and emphasize the following factors:

 

              responsibility for the use of healthcare must be put back in the hands of the patient. Insurance policies with low co-pays and deductibles have become very popular; however, these arrangements actually encourage the over-utilization that increases the costs of healthcare;

 

              the healthcare decision must be put back in the hands of the doctor and the patient; without undue oversight by parties with only economic interests in the decision; and

 

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              healthcare must be affordable for the patient, while providing the medical providers with adequate payment on a timely basis for services provided.

 

For years, insurance companies have been reaping the benefits of managed care by obtaining healthcare for their insureds at much lower prices than that obtainable by the self-insured person. These benefits were provided through the use of preferred provider organizations (PPOs), where steerage of patients was promised in exchange for lower rates. We have contracted with some of these same PPOs to provide healthcare savings to our program members.

 

The elements discussed below are critical to the operation, further development, and offering of our managed healthcare programs.

 

              A medical provider network that provides an effective and efficient means to deliver healthcare savings to the patient who is at least partially self-insured. We have accomplished this through arrangements with reputable, high quality preferred provider organizations. Our medical PPO network gives our members access to over 400,000 providers and 3,600 facilities throughout the U.S.

 

              A computer system that can handle all the complexities of healthcare billing and fee schedules with speed and accuracy, enabling efficient re-pricing of medical bills, which is essential in our interaction with doctors’ offices. Accordingly, we have developed in-house systems for immediate eligibility verification and re-pricing of medical bills independently as well as with the electronic repricing systems of our medical PPO network.

 

              A staff with managed care backgrounds that interacts with the healthcare providers. Managed healthcare is an art. Not everyone has the background to interact professionally and courteously with the thousands of people representing the providers in the network. Our staff is adequately trained to provide customer support and member steerage so that our members can achieve additional medical savings by obtaining the best rates even within the same medical provider network. The backgrounds of our staff include managing of claims offices, insurance sales, managing of physicians and physicians groups, hospital management, captive physician management, self-funding of healthcare, healthcare finance, sales and management of managed care software, and management of physician “front offices”.

 

              A commitment to “hands on” customer service for both the patient-member and the healthcare provider. Most physicians and hospitals are in multiple preferred provider organization networks and do not know the negotiated rates at the time and point of healthcare service. We believe it is important that our services allow these providers to contact us at the time and point of service for this information so that they can immediately arrange for the collection of amounts due for the services provided; and

 

              Credibility with providers who expect prompt payment in exchange for access to reduced rates. During the fourth quarter of 2002, we implemented escrow account requirements in response to the market changes in the healthcare savings industry. Members of our Care Entrée™ program are now required to establish and maintain escrow accounts to access and provide payment for hospital and physician healthcare services. We are then able to pre-certify the members’ ability to pay based upon the available escrow account balances and to process the members’ payments directly to the medical providers. This helps us assure that the payment to the provider is made promptly and efficiently. Foresight, Inc., a licensed third party administrator (TPA), administers the accounts. Effective October 1, 2003, these escrow accounts were made mandatory for access to all medical doctors and hospitals. By December 31, 2004, our cash-in-trust, which represents the aggregate amount that our members have on deposit in their escrow accounts was $4.9 million. Our private label partners are not required to offer these accounts to their members.

 

The combination of these elements has allowed us to become the “patient advocate.” We routinely assist our program members in saving 15% to 50% on their medical bills, and frequently more, by steering them to the most cost effective healthcare providers in their area. We allow the patient and the healthcare provider to decide treatment protocols with no interference from any third party. We facilitate the financial transaction between the healthcare provider and patient-member to allow the provider to receive prompt payment. Finally, because the patient-member is directly responsible for a significant portion of his or her medical expenses, the patient has an incentive to minimize utilization to achieve cost savings, regardless of whether the patient has a high deductible insurance policy or is self-insured.

 

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Our membership program encompasses all aspects of healthcare, including physicians, hospitals, ancillary services, dentists, prescription drugs, vision care, hearing aids, chiropractic and alternative care, air ambulance, 24-hour nurse hotline assistance, and long term care. Memberships in our Care Entrée™ programs range from $9.95 to $69.95 per month per family depending on the selected options, plus a one-time enrollment fee of $20.00 to $30.00.

 

Affordable Healthcare Insurance and Financial Products

 

Commencing in September 2003, through our subsidiary, Care Financial of Texas, L.L.C. (“Care Financial”), we began offering our high deductible and scheduled benefit insurance policies. In addition, we have recently added a suite of products including life insurance and annuities, along with health savings accounts (HSAs), Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and medical and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offered through Care125, a division of our Foresight, Inc. subsidiary (“Foresight”). The high deductible and scheduled benefit insurance policies, HSAs, HRAs and medical and dependent care FSAs, when combined with the Care Entrée™ program, offer affordable, well-rounded solutions for individuals and employers who are no longer able to afford or obtain traditional health insurance policies. While these products are usually sold by licensed life and health insurance agents, the HRAs and medical and dependent care FSAs are also sold by our independent marketing representatives who, from a regulatory standpoint, are not required to be licensed to sell these products. The life insurance products serve to complement our healthcare product offerings by addressing our members’ overall financial condition. The insurance policies are sold through our independent marketing representatives who are licensed insurance agents.

 

OUR GROUP AND WHOLESALE PRODUCTS

 

We offer three wholesale membership service solutions:

 

Private Label and Co-Brand Healthcare Programs

 

We design and offer healthcare membership programs for employer groups, retailers and association-based organizations. These programs are marketed under our “For Your Good Health” label or the privately labeled name of our client. Membership in these programs are offered and sold by direct sales or through marketing companies that ask prospective customers to call a customer service center for more information (in-bound direct marketing). We believe that our clients, their members, and the vendors of the products and services offered through the programs, all benefit from our membership service programs. The products and services are bundled, priced and marketed utilizing relationship marketing strategies or inbound direct marketing to target the profiled needs of the clients’ particular member base.

 

Repricing for Governments and Other Self-Funded Employers

 

For governments and other large, self-funded employers seeking to reduce the cost of offering healthcare benefits to their employees, we can also offer a more streamlined version of our product. In these cases, we offer access to healthcare through our network of providers and the efficient repricing of bills through our proprietary systems. We offer these services for a price based on either the number of participants per month or as a percentage of savings on healthcare costs actually realized.

 

On June 18, 2004, we acquired Access, a full-service third party administrator, for a purchase price of $3.4 million, consisting of $2,000,000 of cash and $1,400,000 of our common stock (488,486 shares).  Through the acquisition of Access, we now provide a wide range of healthcare claims administration services and other cost containment procedures that are frequently required by governments and other large employers who have chosen to self fund their healthcare benefits requirements. Access helps us offer a more complete suite of healthcare services.  Also through Access, we provide individuals and employee groups access to preferred provider networks, medical escrow accounts and full third party administration capabilities to adjudicate and pay medical claims.  From a sales distribution standpoint, we have the ability to grow Access’ regional business through our numerous independent marketing representatives who sell both to individuals and employer groups throughout the United States.  Our acquisition of Access serves to complement our most recent entry into the public sector market through our agreement with the State of Louisiana.  Access’ primary area of expertise is in the public sector market.

 

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Non-healthcare Related Club Membership Programs

 

Through Foresight, we also design non-healthcare related membership programs for rental-purchase companies, financial organizations, employer groups, retailers and association-based organizations. Memberships in these programs are also offered and sold as part of a point-of-sale transaction or by direct marketing through direct mail or as an insert. Program members are offered and provided with our and third-party vendors’ products and services. The products and services are bundled, priced and marketed to target the profiled needs of the clients’ particular customer base. Among the products and services offered are (i) consumer product extended warranties, (ii) tire and wheel guarantee, (iii) insurance products included as association benefits, (iv) emergency travel and living expense reimbursement, (v) access to air ambulance evacuation services, (vi) identity theft protection, (vii) savings on veterinary care, (viii) retail and entertainment discounts, (ix) grocery coupons,  (x) a retail savings coupon book, (xi) emergency roadside assistance, and (xii) auto deductible expense reimbursement. Substantially all of our non-healthcare related membership service programs are offered and sold at retail by clients engaged in the rental-purchase industry.

 

SALES AND MARKETING CHANNELS

 

Our Care Entrée™ healthcare programs are offered primarily through our network marketing organization (initially organized in August 1997)  or by way of our private label agreements with direct marketing or other sales organizations, including insurance agencies.

 

NETWORK MARKETING.  Our independent representatives become marketing representatives by paying an enrollment fee (currently $99.95) and signing a standard representative agreement, and an annual renewal fee (currently $49.95). Independent marketing representatives of Care Entrée™ are not required to be licensed insurance agents. Independent marketing representatives are paid a 20% commission on the membership fees of each member they enroll for the life of that member’s enrollment with Care Entrée™ (assuming such representative continues to meet certain commission qualifications). Independent marketing representatives may also receive commissions equal to the membership fees if three or more program members are enrolled in a month. In the month of the membership sales, no override commissions are paid to the representative’s upline. Independent marketing representatives may also recruit other representatives and earn override commissions on sales made by those representatives. We pay a total of 35% in override commissions down through seven levels of marketing representatives. In addition, we have established bonus pools that allow independent marketing representatives who have achieved certain levels to receive additional commissions measured by our revenues attributable to the Care Entrée™ programs.

 

The total regular or ongoing commissions payout, including overrides on second month membership sales and onward and the amount contributed by us to the bonus pools, can be as high as 60% of qualified membership sales.

 

WHOLESALE MEMBERSHIP OR PRIVATE LABEL CLIENTS AND DIRECT SALES.  Primarily through our direct sales team we also contractwith other companies under wholesale co-branded or private label arrangements. Under these agreements, we conduct all customer service and re-pricing operations and may also provide the fulfillment and collections services. The client performs all marketing functions. We intend to expand on our wholesale strategy by also targeting self-funded employers and organizations providing administrative services to employee benefit plans in order to have our healthcare products sold to groups of employees on a stand-alone basis or as part of an employee benefit plan.

 

BUSINESS OBJECTIVES AND PLANS

 

Our objective is to sustain and expand our leadership position as a provider of unique healthcare membership service programs and consumer driven healthcare plans. Key elements of our business plan are as follows:

 

CONTINUE TO DEVELOP UNIQUE HEALTHCARE SERVICE PROGRAMS FOR BROAD MARKETS.  Our focus is on the continued development and introduction of unique programs that address the health and lifestyle needs of targeted consumer groups. We anticipate that this plan will allow us to obtain a larger share of the healthcare market through existing marketing channels and through establishment of new client relationships.

 

Our subsidiary, Care Financial of Texas, L.L.C. “Care Financial” operates, in many ways, like an insurance agency. Through Care Financial, we continue to offer high deductible and scheduled benefit insurance policies, but have also added a suite of products, including life insurance and annuities. The use of these policies in conjunction with the Care Entrée™ program can provide a very affordable solution to individuals and groups who previously could not afford fully inclusive medical plans and provide greater assurance of payment to the healthcare providers. These insurance products are for sale only by our marketing

 

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representatives who are also licensed insurance agents.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, we established “Care125”.  Care125 provides the administration behind a variety of employee benefit programs that allow employers and employees to save money by paying for certain IRS-approved expenses on a pre-tax basis. Care125 can assist employers in the offering of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (“HRAs”), Flexible Spending Accounts (“FSAs”), and arrangements to help their employees pay for dependant care and transportation expenses. In the case of the Flexible Spending Accounts for dependant care, employers can offer these plans as an additional benefit to their employees at no additional cost to the employer because these fees are based on a percentage of the tax savings realized by the employer in redirecting salary costs for distribution on a pre-tax basis. The remaining fees for services provided by Care125 are monthly fees based on the number of members enrolled.  Care125 is positioned to provide administrative support services for employers wishing to offer their employees a Health Savings Account (HSA).  With recent developments to federal tax policy encouraging the use of HSA’s, we expect that this portion of Care125’s business will expand.

 

CONTINUE TO DEVELOP A RECURRING REVENUE BASE.  Growth in recurring revenue from the Care Entrée™ product is dependent on our independent marketing representatives continuing to market the Care Entrée™ program memberships and recruit new downline independent marketing representatives. We intend to continually increase our support for representatives to maximize the volume generated through this sales channel. Recurring revenue from wholesale and private label clients is dependent upon the client continuously marketing our products to their customer base. We intend to continue to focus our efforts on retaining our existing clients and obtaining new wholesale and private label clients through our direct sales team.

 

DEVELOP A CORPORATE LEVEL SALES TEAM.   To complement the individual sales and group sales and lead generation accomplished through our network marketing strategy, we have undertaken a strategy to promote sales to groups and self-funded employers with a corporate level sales team having experience with the group insurance market and the operations of a third party administrator.

 

LEVERAGE AND DEVELOP MULTIPLE NETWORK PARTNERS.  While we currently have a contractual relationship with a well recognized and fully developed preferred provider organization network for access to savings on doctors, hospitals, and ancillary healthcare services, we need to continuously asses the capabilities of that network and work towards providing alternative network solutions for our members.

 

PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE.  In order to achieve our anticipated growth and to ensure client, member and marketing representative loyalty, we continue to develop and invest significantly in our member service systems. We have developed a proprietary computer database system that provides customer service representatives immediate access to provider demographic data, re-pricing information and member information, including the components of each member program or plan and the details a member requires to properly utilize the program.

 

DEVELOP AND MARKET INNOVATIVE PRODUCT OFFERINGS.  In December 2002, we began offering a medical savings program to help provide assurance that healthcare providers would be paid on a timely basis. Our members deposit money into their individual escrow accounts on a monthly basis from which healthcare services are paid in whole or in part. A member’s ability to pay is then certified prior to treatment or hospitalization based in part on the balance of the member’s escrow account. We hope to also offer our members access to a medical line of credit that can be accessed in addition to or in lieu of a funded escrow account. This line of credit would allow our members to have access to healthcare providers without an upfront cash outlay.  Developing a line of credit offering that is easily accessible by a majority of our members is time consuming and difficult.  We hope to have this offering available by the end of 2005.

 

CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR SERVICES.  In response to the needs of our group customers, we have expanded our third party administrator (“TPA”) services. Our acquisition of Access Healthsource, Inc. in 2004 allows us to offer a full-service TPA function that includes full plan administration, claims adjudication and claims management services.  We plan on developing a marketing plan to offer these new TPA service capabilities on a national basis.

 

MEMBERSHIP SERVICE PROGRAMS

 

CONSUMER HEALTHCARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS.  As of December 31, 2004, we had six consumer healthcare savings programs:

 

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TOTAL CARE PROGRAM—$69.95 per family per month, includes access to savings on hospitals, doctors, ancillary services, dentists, vision care, LASIK-laser vision correction, Instacare emergency card, hearing aids, prescription medications, alternative care, chiropractors, 24-hour health hotline, $2,000 excess accident medical benefit and three month membership fee continuation for involuntary unemployment.

 

ESSENTIAL CARE PROGRAM—$54.95 per family per month, includes access to savings on doctors, ancillary services, dentists, vision care, LASIK-laser vision correction, hearing aids, prescription medications, alternative care, chiropractors, 24-hour health hotline, $2,000 excess accident medical benefit and three month membership fee continuation for involuntary unemployment.

 

BASIC MEDICAL PROGRAM—$39.95 per family per month, includes access to savings on hospitals, doctors, ancillary services and prescription medications.

 

CHOICE CARD PROGRAM—$24.95 per family per month, includes access to 24-hour health hotline, Instacare emergency card, and savings on hearing aids, prescription medications, vision care, dentists and long term care services.

 

DENTAL PLUS PROGRAM—$19.95 per family per month, includes access to 24-hour hotline, and savings on dentists, hearing aids, prescription medications, vision care, alternative care and chiropractors.

 

PRESCRIPTION PLUS PROGRAM—$9.95 per family per month, includes access to savings on prescription medications, vision care and hearing aids.

 

Members pay a one-time $30 or $20 (depending on the program) processing fee at the time of enrollment. Most members pay for the program on a monthly basis, either through automatic bank draft or credit card draft, although some elect to have their accounts drafted on a quarterly basis. Individuals who do not wish to have their accounts drafted are required to make a six-month or annual payment. Groups of five or more can also choose to be billed on a monthly basis.

 

Members may cancel their membership at any time by returning their identification cards, along with a written notice of cancellation. There is a 30-day money back guarantee so that if a member is not completely satisfied with the program, the member will be refunded the program fee upon the return of the identification cards. The processing fee is non-refundable.

 

Upon enrollment, new members receive a member kit that includes instructions on using the program, directories for their area and identification cards.

 

NETWORK CONTRACTS

 

We contract with numerous preferred provider organization and other medical networks for access to their negotiated rates. We do not contract directly with any medical providers. We only select and utilize those networks that we believe can deliver adequate savings to our members, while providing support for our program with the healthcare providers. We pay each network utilized a per member per month amount for use of the network. Each network is only paid for those members authorized to utilize the network. Most of our network contracts are generally for a one-year term, with subsequent one-year renewal terms at our or the network’s option. Networks may cancel their contracts with us, but in most cases, subject to notice provisions to provide time to locate a substitute network. Most of our network contracts are not exclusive, but have requirements that the network and we maintain the confidentiality of the terms of the contract. Our principal preferred provider organization through which our members receive savings on healthcare services through our Care Entrée™ program is Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICE

 

We believe that a high level of customer service is critical to the success of its program. We provide customer service for three types of individuals or organizations:

 

              Our marketing representatives, so that they can be more effective in selling the program;

 

              Our members, in order to assure that they achieve the best available savings when utilizing the program; and

 

9



 

              The providers, who require assistance in (a) understanding how the program works for them and (b) in verifying eligibility and arranging for the payment of the amount billed to the patient for each procedure performed.

 

Toll free support is provided for the members and providers. We maintain multiple customer service centers with a total of 109 customer service representatives as of December 31, 2004. These employees provide support for our members, our independent marketing representatives, and for providers. Our member and provider service centers are available Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. central time and 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Our marketing representative service center is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. central time. All new customer service representatives must have a medical background, either processing insurance claims or working in a medical office. Extensive on-the-job training is also provided to them. Utilizing our systems, the customer service representatives are able to provide friendly but efficient service to our members, marketing representatives, and network providers.

 

REPRESENTATIVE TRAINING

 

We provide extensive training to our marketing representatives to assure that they accurately represent our products and services. This training is available in a variety of forms, including a training manual, audio, and videotapes, local and regional training meetings and weekly conference calls. The training encompasses both product training as well as marketing training and sales techniques.

 

We have certain policies and procedures in place to control any advertising or promotions that are utilized by our marketing representatives. These policies and procedures are necessary to assure the proper representation of the program at all times and include the pre-approval of all advertising, adherence to anti-spamming and anti-fax blasting rules, and limits where representatives can advertise. A representative’s failure to follow these rules can result in fines or termination.

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

We have made substantial investments in our proprietary technology and management information systems. These systems were designed in-house and are used in most aspects of our business, including:

 

              maintaining member eligibility and demographic information;

 

              maintaining representative information including genealogy reporting;

 

              paying commissions;

 

              maintaining a database of all providers and providing provider locator services;

 

              re-pricing and payment of medical bills;

 

              drafting members accounts on a monthly basis; and

 

              tracking of cash receipts and revenues.

 

During 2004, we upgraded our technology and management information systems. These systems allow for more-timely processing of business transactions and contain e-commerce capabilities.

 

We have also established extensive web-sites for our programs that provide information about the program, allow for provider searches and allow new members and representatives to enroll on-line. The websites also allow representatives, through a password-protected area to access support and training files and to view their genealogy and commission information. The websites are set up as “self-replicating” websites to allow representatives a copy of the websites under a unique web address.

 

GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION

 

We are subject to federal, state and local laws, regulations, administrative determinations, court decisions and similar

 

10



 

constraints (hereinafter “regulations”). Because the nature of our services is relatively new to the marketplace, we may not be able to accurately predict which regulations will be applied to our business and we may become subject to new or amended regulations. Some of the areas of our business that are or may be governed by current or future regulations are:

 

              our healthcare products, in that there is a possibility that our Care Entrée™ membership program will be regulated as an insurance company;

 

              our product claims and advertising (including direct claims and advertising as well as claims and advertising by independent marketing representatives, for which we may be held responsible);

 

              our network marketing organization; and

 

              our medical escrow accounts held on behalf of our members.

 

POSSIBLE INSURANCE COMPANY REGULATION.  Our Care Entree™ program is not an insurance program and we are not subject to regulation as an insurance company or a seller of insurance.  However, regulations in certain states currently regulate or restrict the offering of our programs.

 

Occasionally, we receive inquires from insurance commissioners in various states that require us to supply information about our Care Entrée™ program, representatives, etc. to the insurance commissioner or other state regulatory agency. To date, these agencies have concurred with our view that these programs are not a form of insurance and are being sold in a proper manner. There is no assurance that this situation will not change in the future, and an insurance commissioner will successfully challenge our ability to offer our programs without compliance with state insurance regulation. Furthermore, several states have recently enacted or introduced legislation and/or regulations that will likely affect the manner by which we sell our programs.  Because this legislation is new, we do not yet know the scope of that effect and there is a risk that compliance with such legislation and/or regulations could have material adverse affect on our operations and financial condition.  There is also the risk that a state will adopt regulations or enact legislation restricting or prohibiting the sale of our medical discount programs in the state.

 

Our Care Entrée™ program is also subject to the review of the attorney generals in each state, particularly as it relates to the network marketing aspect of the program. The Care Entrée™ commission plan was designed to meet the requirements of each state, and we have had no challenges of the plan from any state attorney general. However, the laws in any state or the interpretation of these laws could change at any time and we may be prevented from selling memberships in our Care Entrée™ programs as a result of the changes.

 

Compliance with federal and state regulations is generally our responsibility. The medical discount program industry is especially susceptible to charges by the media of regulatory noncompliance and unfair dealing. As is often the case, the media may publicize perceived non-compliance with consumer protection regulations and violations of notions of fair dealing with consumers. Our failure to comply with current, as well as newly enacted or adopted federal and state regulations, could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations in addition to the following:

 

              non-compliance may cause us to become the subject of a variety of enforcement or private actions;

 

              compliance with changes in applicable regulations could materially increase the associated operating costs;

 

              non-compliance with any rules and regulations enforced by a federal or state consumer protection authority may subject us or our management personnel to fines or various forms of civil or criminal prosecution; and

 

              non-compliance or alleged non-compliance may result in negative publicity potentially damaging our reputation, network relationships, client relationships and the relationship with program members, representatives and consumers in general.

 

PRODUCT CLAIMS AND ADVERTISING.  The Federal Trade Commission and certain states regulate advertising, product claims, and other consumer matters, including advertising of our products. All advertising, promotional and solicitation materials used by marketing representatives require our approval prior to use. The Federal Trade Commission may institute enforcement actions against companies for false and misleading advertising of consumer products. In addition, the Federal Trade

 

11



 

Commission has increased its scrutiny of the use of testimonials, including those used by us and our marketing representatives. We have not been the target of Federal Trade Commission enforcement action.

 

There is no assurance that:

 

              the Federal Trade Commission will not question our advertising or other operations in the future;

 

              a state will not interpret product claims presumptively valid under federal law as illegal under that state’s regulations; or

 

              future Federal Trade Commission regulations or decisions will not restrict the permissible scope of such claims.

 

We are also subject to the risk of claims by marketing representatives and their customers who may file actions on their own behalf, as a class or otherwise, and may file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission or state or local consumer affairs offices. These agencies may take action on their own initiative against us for alleged advertising or product claim violations, or on a referral from independent marketing representatives, customers or others. Remedies sought in these actions may include consent decrees and the refund of amounts paid by the complaining independent marketing representatives or consumer, refunds to an entire class of independent marketing representatives or customers, client refunds, or other damages, as well as changes in our method of doing business. A complaint based on the practice of one marketing representative, whether or not we authorized the practice, could result in an order affecting some or all of our marketing representatives in a particular state. Also, an order in one state could influence courts or government agencies in other states considering similar matters. Proceedings resulting from these complaints could result in significant defense costs, settlement payments or judgments and could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

NETWORK MARKETING ORGANIZATION.  Our network marketing system is subject to a number of federal and state regulations administered by the Federal Trade Commission and various state agencies. These regulations are generally directed at ensuring that advancement, within a network marketing organization, is based on sales of the organization’s products rather than investment in the organization or other non-sales related criteria. For instance, in certain markets there are limits on the extent that marketing representatives may earn royalties on sales generated by marketing representatives that were not directly sponsored by the marketing representative.

 

Our network marketing organization and activities are subject to scrutiny by various state and federal governmental regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with various types of laws and regulations. These laws and regulations include securities, franchise investment, business opportunity, and criminal laws prohibiting the use of “pyramid” or “endless chain” types of selling organizations. The compensation structure of these selling organizations is very complex, and compliance with all of the applicable laws is uncertain in light of evolving interpretation of existing laws and the enactment of new laws and regulations pertaining to this type of product distribution. We are not aware of any legal actions pending or threatened by any governmental authority against us regarding the legality of our network marketing operations.

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had marketing representatives in 48 states and the District of Columbia. We review the requirements of various states, as well as seek legal advice, regarding the structure and operation of our network marketing ensure that it complies with all of the applicable laws and regulations pertaining to network sales organizations. Based on these efforts and the experience of our management, we believe that we are in compliance with all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements. We have not obtained no-action letters or advance rulings from any federal or state security regulator or other governmental agency concerning the legality of our network operations, nor are we relying on a formal opinion of counsel to that effect. We accordingly are subject to the risk that one or more of our network marketing organizations could be found to not comply with applicable laws and regulations. Our failure to comply with these regulations could have a material adverse effect on us in a particular market or in general.

 

We are subject to the risk of challenges to the legality of our network marketing organization, including claims by our marketing representatives, both individually and as a class. Most likely these claims would be based on the network marketing organization allegedly being operated as an illegal “pyramid scheme” in violation of federal securities laws, state unfair practice and fraud laws, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. In the event of challenges to the legality of our network marketing organization by distributors, we would be required to demonstrate that our network marketing organization complies with applicable regulatory laws. A final ruling against us could result in a material liability. Moreover, even if we were

 

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successful in defending against these challenges, the costs of such defense, both in dollars spent and in management time, could be material and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. In addition, the negative publicity of these challenges could adversely affect our revenues and ability to attract and retain marketing representatives.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT COMPLIANCE.  In December 2000, The Department of Health and Human Services issued final privacy regulations pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) that became effective in April 2003. HIPAA and the applicable regulations impose extensive restrictions on the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information by certain entities. Also as part of HIPAA, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued final regulations standardizing electronic transactions between health plans, providers and clearinghouses. Health plans, providers, and clearinghouses, are required to conform their electronic and data processing systems with HIPAA’s electronic transaction requirements. We may be required to comply with certain aspects of these regulations pertaining to our business.

 

Our recently purchased re-pricing software systems are considered HIPAA compliant. We previously engaged a consulting firm to assist us in our efforts to continuously comply with all other HIPAA regulations. We believe that we are in compliance with these regulations. However, because these regulations are new, we do not know how the interpretation and enforcement of the regulations may affect us. We plan to continually audit our compliance, and accordingly cannot give assurance that our costs of continuing to comply with HIPAA will not be material to us. Sanctions for failing to comply with standards issued pursuant to HIPAA include criminal penalties and civil sanctions.

 

COMPETITION

 

CONSUMER HEALTHCARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS.  While the medical savings industry is still in its early stages, competition for members is becoming more intense. We offer membership programs that provide products and services similar to or directly in competition with products and services offered by our network-marketing competitors as well as the providers of the products and services through other channels of distribution. Although not permitted under the current agreements with our representatives and private label clients, in the future some of our clients may provide, either directly or through third parties, programs that directly compete with our programs. Competition for new representatives is intense, as these individuals have a variety of products that they can choose to market, whether competing with us in the healthcare market or not.

 

Our principal competitors are AmeriPlan, Full Access Medical, New Benefits, Inc., CAREington International, and International Association of Businesses (IAB). We also compete with all types of network marketing companies throughout the U.S. for new representatives. Our other competitors include large retailers, financial institutions, insurance companies, preferred provider organization networks, and other organizations, which offer benefit programs to their customers. Many of our competitors have substantially larger customer bases and greater financial and other resources.

 

We distinguish ourselves from the competition through the offering of toll-free live customer service to the providers, as well as, the members. Our staff is adequately trained to provide not only customer support, but also member steerage so that our members are able to achieve additional medical savings by obtaining the best rates even within the same medical provider network. Additionally, through our subsidiary third-party administrator, Foresight, Inc., we offer an escrow account program that helps ensure payment to our medical providers. We are not aware of any other competitor that offers customer service to the medical providers and members in this manner.

 

PRINCIPAL COMPETITIVE FACTORS.  We believe that the principal competitive factors in the consumer healthcare and wholesale membership industries, some of which are not within our control, include:

 

              the ability to maintain contracts with reputable preferred provider organization networks that offer substantial healthcare savings;

 

              the ability to identify, develop and offer unique membership healthcare programs;

 

              the quality and breadth of the membership programs offered;

 

              the quality and extent of customer service;

 

              the ability to offer substantial savings on the major-medical costs such as hospital and surgical costs;

 

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              the ability to combine the programs with affordable insurance plans that have high deductibles or set payment for hospitalization;

 

              prices of products and service offered;

 

              marketing expertise;

 

              compensation plans for representatives;

 

              the ability to hire and retain employees;

 

              the development by others of member programs that are competitive with Care Entrée™’s programs;

 

              responsiveness to customer needs;

 

              the ability to satisfy investigations on the part of state attorney generals, insurance commissioners and other regulatory bodies;

 

              the ability to finance promotions for the recruiting of members and representatives; and

 

              the ability to effectively market the product on the World Wide Web.

 

While we are considered a leader in the industry, there is no assurance that:

 

              competitors will not develop their own software that re-prices medical bills, a full-service customer service function similar to ours, or a medical escrow concept similar to ours;

 

              our competitors will not increase their emphasis on programs similar to our programs to more effectively compete with us;

 

              our competitors will not recruit our independent marketing representatives by offering more attractive sales commissions;

 

              our competitors will not provide programs comparable or superior to our programs at lower membership fees;

 

              our competitors will not adapt more quickly to evolving industry trends or changing market requirements;

 

              new competitors will not enter the market;

 

              other businesses such as insurance companies or preferred provider organization networks will not themselves introduce competing programs; and

 

              competitors may develop more effective marketing campaigns that more effectively utilize direct mail and television advertising.

 

This increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share, any of which could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

EMPLOYEES

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had 225 full-time employees in the following departments:

 

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Customer Services

 

109

 

Executive and Administration

 

27

 

Information Services

 

15

 

Provider Relations

 

14

 

Data Entry

 

13

 

Finance and Accounting

 

12

 

Quality Assurance

 

10

 

Sales and Marketing

 

8

 

Utilization Review and Management

 

7

 

Care Financial

 

7

 

Foresight Wholesale Memberships

 

3

 

 

Our future performance depends in significant part upon the continued service of our key technical and management personnel, and our continuing ability to attract and retain highly qualified and motivated personnel in all areas of our operations. Competition for qualified personnel is intense. We provide no assurance that we can retain key managerial and technical employees, or that we can attract, assimilate or retain other highly qualified personnel in the future. Our employees are not represented by a labor union. We have not experienced any work stoppages, and consider our employee relations to be good.

 

ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT OUR FUTURE RESULTS

 

The matters discussed below and elsewhere in this report should be considered when evaluating our business operations and strategies. Additionally, there may be risks and uncertainties that we are not aware of or that we currently deem immaterial, which may become material factors affecting our operations and business success. Many of the factors are not within our control. We provide no assurance that one or more of these factors will not:

 

              adversely affect the market price of our common stock;

 

              adversely affect our future operations;

 

              adversely affect our business;

 

              adversely affect our financial condition; or

 

              adversely affect our results of operations;

 

              require significant reduction or discontinuance of our operations;

 

              require us to seek a merger partner; or

 

              require us to sell additional stock on terms that are highly dilutive to our shareholders.

 

THIS REPORT CONTAINS CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELATING TO FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION.

 

We have included some forward-looking statements in this section and other places in this report regarding our expectations. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology including “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies that involve risks and uncertainties. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they:

 

              discuss our future expectations;

 

              contain projections of our future operating results or of our future financial condition; or

 

              state other “forward-looking” information.

 

We believe it is important to discuss our expectations; however, it must be recognized that events may occur in the future over which we have no control and which we are not accurately able to predict.

 

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OUR REVENUES ARE PRIMARILY DEPENDENT ON THE INDEPENDENT MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES, WHOSE REDUCED SALES EFFORTS OR TERMINATION MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF REVENUES.

 

Our success and growth depend in large part upon our ability to attract, retain, and motivate the network of independent marketing representatives who principally market our Care Entrée™ medical savings program. Our independent marketing representatives typically offer and sell the Care Entrée™ program on a part-time basis, and may engage in other business activities. These marketing representatives may give higher priority to other products or services, reducing their efforts devoted to marketing our Care Entrée™ program. Also, our ability to attract and retain marketing representatives could be negatively affected by adverse publicity relating to our Care Entrée™ program and operations.

 

Under our network marketing system, the marketing representatives’ downline organizations are headed by a relatively small number of key representatives who are responsible for a substantial percentage of our total revenues. The loss of a significant number of marketing representatives, including any key representatives, for any reason, could adversely affect our revenues and operating results, and could impair our ability to attract new distributors.

 

DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS ARE CRITICAL AND THE LOSS OF SUCH RELATIONSHIPS COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS.

 

As part of our business operations, we must develop and maintain relationships with preferred provider organizations within each market area that our services are offered. Development and maintenance of these relationships with healthcare providers within a preferred provider organization is in part based on professional relationships and the reputation of our management and marketing personnel. Because many members that receive healthcare services are self-insured and responsible for payment for healthcare services received, failure to pay or late payment by members may negatively affect our relationship with the preferred provider organizations. Consequently, preferred provider organization relationships may be adversely affected by events beyond our control, including departures of key personnel and alterations in professional relationships and members’ failures to pay for services received. The loss of a preferred provider organization within a geographic market area may not be replaced on a timely basis, if at all. The loss of a preferred provider organization for any reason could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

WE CURRENTLY RELY HEAVILY ON ONE KEY PREFFERED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION AND THE LOSS OF OR A CHANGE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS PROVIDER COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS.

 

Private Healthcare Systems, Inc. is the principal preferred provider organization through which our members receive savings on healthcare services through our Care Entrée™ program. The loss of Private Healthcare Systems as a preferred provider organization or disruption of our members’ access to this preferred provider organization could adversely affect our business. While we currently enjoy a good relationship with Private Healthcare Systems, there are no assurances that we will continue to have a good relationship with this network in the future, or that the network may choose to partner with one of our competitors or compete directly with our Care Entrée™ program.

 

WE FACE COMPETITION FOR MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS COMPETITIVE OFFERINGS OF HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

 

Although the medical savings membership industry is in the early stages of its development, competition for members is becoming more intense. We offer membership programs that provide products and services similar to or directly in competition with products and services offered by our network-marketing competitors as well as the providers of such products and services through other channels of distribution. Although not permitted under the current agreements with our marketing representatives and private label clients, in the future some of our clients may provide, either directly or through third parties, programs that directly compete with our programs. Furthermore, marketing representatives have a variety of products that they can choose to market, whether competing with us in the healthcare market or not. Our business operations compete in two channels of competition. First, we compete based upon the healthcare products and services offered. These competitors include companies that offer healthcare products and services through membership programs much like our programs, as well as insurance companies, preferred provider organization networks and other organizations that offer benefit programs to their customers. Second, we compete with all types of network marketing companies throughout the U.S. for new marketing representatives. Many of our competitors have substantially larger customer bases and greater financial and other resources.

 

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We provide no assurance that our competitors will not provide healthcare benefit programs comparable or superior to our programs at lower membership prices or adapt more quickly to evolving healthcare industry trends or changing industry requirements. Increased competition may result in price reductions, reduced gross margins, and loss of market share, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. There is no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively with current and future competitors.

 

WE MAY BECOME SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT REGULATION MUCH LIKE AN INSURANCE COMPANY. SUCH REGULATORY OVERSIGHT MAY AFFECT OR LIMIT OUR OPERATIONS.

 

The membership and healthcare benefits we offer are sold without license by any federal, state, or local regulatory licensing agency or commission. In comparison, companies that provide insurance benefits and operate healthcare management organizations and preferred provider organizations are regulated by state licensing agencies and commissions. These regulations extensively cover operations, including scope of benefits, rate formula, delivery systems, utilization review procedures, quality assurance, enrollment requirements, claim payments, marketing and advertising. In the future, state insurance regulatory agencies and commissions may determine that our Care Entrée™ programs are subject to governmental regulation, which may adversely affect or limit our future operations.

 

WE HAVE A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILTY TO OUR MEMBERS THROUGH OUR TOTAL CARE AND ESSENTIAL CARE PROGRAM OFFERINGS. IN THIS CAPACITY, WE COULD BE LIABLE FOR THE LOSS OF MEMBERS’ FUNDS DEPOSITED WITH US IN ESCROW.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2002, we initiated a medical savings program through our Total Care and Essential Care programs that is processed through our subsidiary Foresight as a third-party administrator. Under this medical savings program, funds collected from members are held in escrow for the benefit of the member as a source of payment for healthcare services obtained through our Total Care and Essential Care programs. Under the medical savings program we have a fiduciary responsibility to our members for the funds held for their benefit much like a trustee. In the unforeseen event of a loss of these funds while being held by us or our failure to implement and maintain adequate internal controls, we will be responsible and liable to the affected members for any such loss, including any consequential damages suffered by the members, which liability could be substantial.

 

AS A RESULT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF MEDICAL ESCROW ACCOUNTS, OUR FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY CONTINUE TO BE ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HEALTHCARE SAVINGS PROGRAM MEMBERSHIPS THAT WE CAN SELL AND MAINTAIN.

 

While we believe that the introduction of our medical escrow accounts was an important development in our product, the initial impact of such introduction has negatively affected our business. This impact is the result of additional difficulties in selling and maintaining memberships in our program because of the added complexity. There is no assurance that we will be able to overcome these difficulties, and we may not be able to increase the number of memberships that are sold and maintained. As a result, our financial position and results of operations may be negatively affected.

 

THE FAILURE OF OUR NETWORK MARKETING ORGANIZATION TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATION COULD RESULT IN ENFORCEMENT ACTION AND IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES, MODIFICATION OF OUR NETWORK MARKETING SYSTEM, AND NEGATIVE PUBLICITY.

 

Our network marketing organization is subject to federal and state laws and regulations administered by the Federal Trade Commission and various state agencies. These laws and regulations include securities, franchise investment, business opportunity, and criminal laws prohibiting the use of “pyramid” or “endless chain” types of selling organizations. These regulations are generally directed at ensuring that product and service sales are ultimately made to consumers (as opposed to other marketing representatives) and that advancement within the network marketing organization is based on sales of products and services, rather than on investment in the company or other non-retail sales related criteria.

 

The compensation structure of a network marketing organization is very complex. Compliance with all of the applicable

 

17



 

regulations and laws is uncertain because of:

 

              the evolving interpretations of existing laws and regulations; and

 

              the enactment of new laws and regulations pertaining in general to network marketing organizations and product and service distribution.

 

Accordingly, there is the risk that our network marketing system could be found to not comply with applicable laws and regulations that could:

 

              result in enforcement action and imposition of penalty;

 

              require modification of the marketing representative network system;

 

              result in negative publicity; or

 

              have a negative effect on distributor morale and loyalty.

 

Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations as well as our financial condition.

 

THE LEGALITY OF OUR NETWORK MARKETING ORGANIZATION IS SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE BY OUR MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT DEFENSE COSTS, SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS OR JUDGMENTS, AND COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

 

Our network marketing organization is subject to legality challenge by our marketing representatives, both individually and as a class. Generally, these challenges would be based on claims that our marketing network program was operated as an illegal “pyramid scheme” in violation of federal securities laws, state unfair practice and fraud laws and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Proceedings resulting from these claims could result in significant defense costs, settlement payments, or judgments, and could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

WE MAY HAVE EXPOSURE AND LIABILITY RELATING TO NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996 AND THE COST OF COMPLIANCE COULD BE MATERIAL.

 

In December 2000, The Department of Health and Human Services issued final privacy regulations pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) that became effective in April 2003. HIPAA imposes extensive restrictions on the use and disclosure of individually identifiable health information by certain entities. Also as part of HIPAA, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued final regulations standardizing electronic transactions between health plans, providers and clearinghouses. Health plans, providers and clearinghouses are required to conform their electronic and data processing systems with HIPAA’s electronic transaction requirements. While we believe we are currently compliant with these regulations, we cannot be certain of the extent to which the enforcement or interpretation of these regulations will affect our business. Our continuing compliance with these regulations, therefore, may have a significant impact on our business operations and may be at material cost in the event we are subject to these regulations. Sanctions for failing to comply with standards issued pursuant to HIPAA include criminal and civil sanctions.

 

THE PROGRAM MARKETING ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY OUR SUBSIDIARY FORESIGHT ARE DEPENDENT UPON OUR CLIENTS.

 

In carrying out our program marketing activities through our subsidiary Foresight, Inc., we are dependent on our clients utilizing our services to design membership programs for their customers. The client approves each marketing program prior to presentation to the client’s customers.

 

Our client relationships are pursuant to written agreements that typically may be terminated pursuant to 90-day written notice prior to end to the term of the agreement without cause and without penalty. Generally, upon termination, the client may

 

18



 

not offer similar products or services for a one-year period; however, we are not prohibited from continuing to offer or provide membership services and products directly or indirectly to the client’s individual customers. If the agreement is terminated due to our default, we are prohibited from renewing memberships and the client has the right to cause us to terminate our relationship with existing program members. Many of the events that constitute default are not within our control, including acts and omissions by our third-party product and service vendors or providers. There is no assurance that our clients will not terminate their relationships with us or cease to provide additional customer lists for our use in further marketing of new or existing membership programs.

 

WE ARE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING A NEW MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. DISRUPTION IN OUR OPERATION RESULTING FROM THIS IMPLEMENTATION COULD AFFECT OUR CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS.

 

We recently transitioned to our new management information system. There is no assurance that we will be able to continue operating without experiencing any disruptions in our operations or that our relationships with our members, marketing representatives or providers will not be adversely affected or that our internal controls will not be adversely affected.

 

WE ASSUMED A CONTINGENT TAX LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH OUR MERGER-ACQUISITION OF FORESIGHT.

 

In January 1999, Universal Marketing Services, Inc., the former parent of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Foresight, Inc., purchased the outstanding common stock of Foresight for $4,540,000. Universal Marketing Services agreed to indemnify the shareholders of Foresight for the increase in federal income taxes, and any applicable penalties to the extent that the reported $4,540,000 of the purchase price does not qualify for long-term capital gain treatment. In connection with our merger-acquisition of Foresight, we assumed the indemnification obligation of Universal Marketing Services.

 

Upon examination, the Internal Revenue Service may take the position that all or a portion of the $4,540,000 should be classified as ordinary income taxable at the maximum federal income tax rate of 39.6% rather than the long-term capital gain 20% rate. In the event the Internal Revenue Service successfully asserts that long- term capital gain classification was improper, we will be required to indemnify the former shareholders.

 

WE HAVE MANY COMPETITORS AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY WHICH MAY LEAD TO A LACK OF REVENUES AND DISCONTINUANCE OF OUR OPERATIONS.

 

We compete with numerous well-established companies that design and implement membership programs. Some of our competitors may be companies that have programs that are functionally similar or superior to our membership programs. Most of our competitors possess substantially greater financial, marketing, personnel and other resources than us. They may also have established reputations relating to membership programs.

 

Due to competitive market forces, we may experience price reductions, reduced gross margins and loss of market share in the future, any of which would result in decreases in sales and revenues. These decreases in revenues would adversely affect our business and results of operations and could lead to discontinuance of operations. There can be no assurance that:

 

              we will be able to compete successfully;

 

              our competitors will not develop membership programs that render our programs less marketable or even obsolete; or

 

              we will be able to successfully enhance our programs when necessary.

 

THE GOODWILL ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO OUR ACQUISITIONS OF THE CAPELLA GROUP AND ACCESS MAY BECOME IMPAIRED AND REQUIRE A WRITE-DOWN AND THE RECOGNITION OF AN IMPAIRMENT EXPENSE WHICH MAY BE SUBSTANTIAL.

 

In connection with our acquisitions of The Capella Group and Access, we recorded goodwill that, at December 31, 2004, had an aggregate asset value of $21,381,316. In the event that the goodwill is determined to be impaired for any reason, we will be required to write-down or reduce the value of the goodwill and recognize an impairment expense. The impairment expense may be substantial in amount and, in such case, adversely affect the results of our operations for the applicable period

 

19



 

and may negatively affect the market value of our common stock.

 

WE MAY FAIL TO REALIZE SOME OR ALL OF THE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF OUR ACQUISITION OF ACCESS AND THAT FAILURE COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION.

 

Our combined company may fail to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction as a result of, among other things, the failure of Access to renew or maintain its existing service agreements.  In addition, the integration of Access’ business and operations with those of Precis may take longer than anticipated, may be more costly than anticipated, and may have unanticipated adverse results relating to Access’ or Precis’ existing businesses or customer base.

 

IF WE ISSUE SUBSTANTIAL SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK UPON ACCESS MEETING CERTAIN EBITDA TARGETS, OUR SHAREHOLDERS COULD SUFFER DILUTION OF THEIR INVESTMENT AND OUR STOCK PRICE COULD DECLINE.

 

We are obligated to issue a number of additional common stock shares in the event Access attains certain levels of earnings before income tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined in the purchase contract.  Should a significant number of these shares be issued, the resulting increase in the number of outstanding common stock shares could have a substantial dilutive effect on our outstanding common stock as of the date of this report their market value. The issuance of additional common stock may also adversely affect the terms under which we could obtain additional equity capital.

 

OUR SUBSIDIARY, ACCESS, DERIVES A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF ITS INCOME FROM A FEW KEY CLIENTS AND THE LOSS OF ANY OF THOSE CLIENTS COULD HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

 

Access provides full service third party administration services to adjudicate and pay medical claims for employers who have self-funded at least a portion of their healthcare costs.  Their primary market is governmental entities in the El Paso, Texas metropolitan area, including cities and school districts.  There are a limited number of such entities in that area.  A material portion of the revenues of Access is derived from its contractual relationships with a few key governmental entities.  The loss of any of these relationships would adversely affect on our operating results and the loss of more than one of these relationships could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

 

ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

 

Our corporate offices, operations, and insurance agency are located in 25,000 square feet at 2040 N. Highway 360, Grand Prairie, Texas 75050. The offices are occupied under a lease agreement with an unaffiliated third party that expires December 15, 2006.

 

We consider the space which our offices occupy to be adequate for our needs. In the event we are required to relocate our office upon termination of the existing leases, we believe other office space is available under comparable lease terms.

 

Our financial commitment on this lease runs through December 15, 2006.

 

Description

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligation

 

Total

 

Less Than 1 Year

 

1-3 Years

 

3-5 Years

 

More Than 5 Years

 

Operating leases on real property

 

$

726,971

 

$

371,219

 

$

355,752

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

In the normal course of business, we may become involved in litigation or in settlement proceedings relating to claims arising out of our operations. Except as described below, we are not a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

20



 

Kirk, et al v. Precis, Inc. and David May

 

On September 8, 2003, the case styled “Robert Kirk, Individually and D/B/A US Asian Advisors, LLC, Eugene M. Kennedy, P.A., Stewart & Associates, CPA’s, P.A. and Kimberly Decamp, Plaintiffs vs. Precis, Inc. and David May, Defendants” was initiated in the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, Case No. 236 201 468 03. The plaintiffs Robert Kirk (doing business as US Asian Advisors, LLC or U.S. Asian Capital Investors, LLC and recently convicted of securities fraud and related crimes), Kimberly Decamp and Stewart & Associates, CPA’s, P.A. hold warrants exercisable for the purchase of 9,000, 48,000 and 4,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock for $9.00 per share on or before February 8, 2005. The plaintiffs Eugene M. Kennedy, P.A. and Kimberly Decamp hold stock options that expired on June 30, 2003, and that were exercisable for 15,000 and 170,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock for $9.37 per share. David May was our Secretary and Vice President and General Counsel through January 5, 2004.

 

Plaintiffs Eugene M. Kennedy, P.A. (Eugene M. Kennedy is a member of the Florida bar association and a practicing attorney) and Ms. Decamp (the sister of Mr. Kirk) at no time presented the stock option agreements evidencing the stock options and payment of the exercise price of the stock options, $140,550 and $1,592,900, respectively, as required pursuant to the terms of the stock option agreements for exercise. Furthermore, Plaintiffs Robert Kirk, Kimberly Decamp and Stewart & Associates, CPA’s, P.A. at no time tendered the certificates evidencing the warrants and the completed and executed Form of Subscription (Cashless Exercise) required for exercise of the warrants without payment of the exercise price of those warrants.

 

The plaintiffs allege that they were not allowed to exercise their stock options and warrants in May of 2003 due to actions and inactions of Mr. May and that these actions and inactions constitute fraud, misrepresentation, negligence and legal malpractice. All communications with Mr. May were through the plaintiffs’ broker, Burt Martin Arnold Securities, Inc. Plaintiffs are seeking damages equal to the difference between the exercise price of the stock options or warrants and the market value of our common stock on May 7, 2002 (presumably the closing sale price of $15.75) or an aggregate sum of $1,592,050, plus exemplary damages and costs.

 

An answer has been filed setting forth the Company’s position that the plaintiff failed to follow the procedures required by the warrant and stock option agreements for effective exercise. Although we believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit, this case, for the second time, is scheduled for trial in May 2005, and, as of the date of this report, we cannot provide any assurance regarding the outcome or results of this litigation.

 

Zermeno v. Precis

 

The case styled “Manuela Zermeno, individually and on behalf of the general public; and Juan A. Zermeno, individually and on behalf of the general public vs. Precis, Inc., an Oklahoma corporation and Does 1 through 100, inclusive” was filed on August 14, 2003 in the Superior Court of the State of California for the county of Los Angeles.

 

A second case styled “California Foundation for Business Ethics, Inc., a California non-profit corporation, v Precis, Inc., and Does 1 through 100, inclusive” was filed on September 9, 2003, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the county of Los Angeles.

 

The two above cases were removed to the United States District Court for the Central District of California and consolidated, by order of the court, on December 4, 2003.

 

The Zermeno plaintiffs are former members of the Care Entrée™ discount health care program who allege that they (for themselves and for the general public) are entitled to injunctive, declaratory, and equitable relief. Plaintiffs’ First Amended Complaint set forth three distinct claims under California law. Plaintiffs’ first cause of action alleged that the operation of the Care Entrée™ program by Defendants Precis, Inc. and The Capella Group, Inc. violates Health and Safety Code § 445 (“Section 445”), which governs medical referral services. Next, Plaintiffs alleged that they are entitled to damages under Civil Code §§ 1812.119 and 1812.123, which are part of the broader statutory scheme governing the operation of discount buying organizations, Civil Code 1812. 100 et. seq. (“Section 1812.100”). Plaintiffs’ third cause of action sought relief under Business and Professions Code § 17200, California’s Unfair Competition Law.

 

We have fully settled all the claims brought by the California Foundation for Business Ethics, Inc.  With the Zermeno plaintiffs, we have settled the causes of action related to Civil Code §§ 1812.119 and 1812.123.  The claim related to Section 445 and the related claim under Section 17200 remain pending and have been assigned to the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County under case number BC 300788.  A negative result in this case would have a material affect on our financial condition and would limit our ability (and that of other medical discount cards) to do business in California.

 

21



 

We believe that we have complied with all applicable statues and regulations in the state of California.  Although we believe the Plaintiffs’ claims are without merit, this remaining matter in the case remains pending, and, as of the date of this report, we cannot provide any assurance regarding the outcome or results of this litigation.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

No matters were submitted to vote of our security holders during the three months ended December 31, 2004.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Our common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and is quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market System under the symbol PCIS. Prior to February 9, 2000, there was no public trading market for our common stock. The closing sale prices reflect inter-dealer prices without adjustment for retail markups, markdowns or commissions, and may not reflect actual transactions. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices of our common stock during the calendar quarters presented, as reported by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market System.

 

For more information on us, please refer to our website at www.precis-pcis.com.

 

 

 

CLOSING SALE
PRICE

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK

 

QUARTER ENDED

 

HIGH

 

LOW

 

March 31, 2003

 

$

5.55

 

$

2.80

 

June 30, 2003

 

$

5.50

 

$

3.30

 

September 30, 2003

 

$

5.69

 

$

3.39

 

December 31, 2003

 

$

4.45

 

$

3.18

 

March 31, 2004

 

$

4.50

 

$

3.66

 

June 30, 2004

 

$

3.89

 

$

2.48

 

September 30, 2004

 

$

3.12

 

$

2.32

 

December 31, 2004

 

$

3.04

 

$

2.25

 

 

On April 13, 2005, the closing sale price of the common stock as quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market was $1.84. On April 13, 2005, there were approximately 252 record holders of our common stock.

 

The market price of our common stock is subject to significant fluctuations in response to, and may be adversely affected by:

 

              variations in quarterly operating results;

 

              changes in earnings estimates by analysts;

 

              adverse earnings or other financial announcements of our customers or clients;

 

              announcements and introductions of product or service innovations or new contracts by us or our competitors; and

 

              general stock market conditions.

 

In order to continue inclusion of our common stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market the minimum listing requirements must be met. If we fail to meet the minimum requirements, our common stock will be de-listed by Nasdaq and will become tradable on the over-the-counter market, which will adversely affect the sale price of our common stock. In this event, our common stock will then be traded in the over-the-counter market and may become subject to the “penny stock” trading rules.

 

The over-the-counter market is volatile and characterized as follows:

 

22



 

              the over-the-counter securities are subject to substantial and sudden price increases and decreases;

 

              at times the price (bid and ask) information for the securities may not be available;

 

              if there are only one or two market makers, there is a risk that the dealers or group of dealers may control the market in our common stock and set prices that are not based on competitive forces; and

 

              the actual sale price ultimately obtained for a block of stock may be substantially below the quoted bid price.

 

Consequently, the market price of our common stock will be adversely affected if our common stock ceases to be included on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

Our dividend policy is to retain our earnings, if any, to support the expansion of our operations. Our board of directors does not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future cash dividends will depend on future earnings, capital requirements, our financial condition and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors.

 

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS.

 

The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2004, information related to each category of equity compensation plan approved or not approved by our shareholders, including individual compensation arrangements with our non-employee directors. The equity compensation plans approved by our shareholders are our 1999 Stock Option Plan, 2002 Stock Option Plan, 2002 IMR Stock Option Plan and the stock option agreement entered into with Barron Chase Securities, Inc. in connection with our merger-acquisition of Foresight, Inc. All stock options, warrants and rights to acquire our equity securities are exercisable for or represent the right to purchase our common stock.

 

 

Plan Category

 

Number of
Shares
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
and Warrants

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
of
Outstanding
Options and
Warrants

 

Number of
Securities
Remaining
Available for
Future
Issuance under
Equity
Compensation
Plans(1)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by our shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002 Non employee stock option plan

 

376,000

 

$

4.70

 

124,000

 

2002 IMR stock option plan

 

116,354

 

$

4.66

 

383,646

 

1999 stock option plan

 

888,000

 

$

3.75

 

512,000

 

 

 

1,380,354

 

$

4.37

 

1,019,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by our shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock option grants to non-employee directors in 2000 and 2001(2)

 

92,000

 

$

2.55

 

 

Stock options granted to employees in 1997 and 1998(3)

 

17,410

 

$

5.40

 

 

Warrants issued to Barron Chase Securities and its assigns in 2000 related to our initial public offering(4)

 

83,500

 

$

9.00

 

 

 

 

192,910

 

$

5.65

 

 

Total

 

1,573,264

 

$

6.50

 

1,019,646

 

 


(1)           The number of shares of our common stock remaining available for issuance under equity compensation plans is after excluding the number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and warrants

 

23



 

(2)           The stock options were granted in lieu of cash compensation for the services of our non-employee directors. The purchase price of the shares was equal to or in excess of the closing sale price of our common stock on the grant date of the stock option grants.

 

(3)           The stock options were granted to employees during 1997 and 1998 as part of their compensation for services provided.

 

(4)           The warrants were issued to Barron Chase Securities and its assigns as compensation for the underwriting services of Barron Chase Securities associated with our initial public offering that was completed in February 2000.

 

UNREGISTERED SECURITIES SOLD DURING PRECEDING THREE YEARS

 

FORESIGHT, INC. MERGER-ACQUISITION.  On December 7, 2000, we completed the merger-acquisition of Foresight, Inc.. In completion of this merger-acquisition, we issued 500,000 shares of our common stock and 166,667 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock to Paul A. Kruger and Mark R. Kidd in exchange for the outstanding capital stock of Foresight, Inc. Mr. Kruger is our former C.E.O. Mr. Kidd is our former C.F.O. Further, at closing of the merger-acquisition of Capella Group, we issued and delivered 1,250,000 shares of our common stock to Messrs. Kruger and Kidd and agreed to issue one share of our common stock for each $1.00 that our consolidated income before tax expense (as adjusted) for 2001 exceeds $1,750,000, assuming the merger-acquisition of Capella Group was completed on January 1, 2001. Messrs. Kruger and Kidd were issued 2,065,202 shares of our common stock on February 7, 2002. In addition, we granted Barron Chase Securities, Inc. stock options exercisable for the purchase on or before June 30, 2003 of 200,000 shares of our common stock for $9.37 per share. These options were granted for the investment banking financial services and consulting advice provided by Barron Chase Securities in valuing and structuring the merger. These offerings were made pursuant to the applicable registration exemptions of Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, and applicable state securities laws. There were no sales commissions or other fees paid in connection with the merger-acquisition, other than granting of the stock options.

 

THE CAPELLA GROUP, INC. MERGER-ACQUISITION.  On June 8, 2001, we completed the merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc. In completion of this merger-acquisition, we issued 2,775,000 shares of our common stock to the shareholders of The Capella Group, Inc. in exchange for the outstanding capital stock of The Capella Group, Inc. In addition, we agreed to issue and deliver to the former of shareholders of Capella Group one share of our common stock for each dollar of Capella Group’s income before tax expense (increased by certain adjustments) during 2001, assuming the merger-acquisition was completed on January 1, 2001, in excess of $1,275,000. The former shareholders of The Capella Group were issued 2,735,085 shares of common stock on February 7, 2002. This offering was made pursuant to the applicable registration exemptions of Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, and applicable state securities laws. As part of the merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc., two of our directors, Messrs. John Simonelli and Larry E. Howell were paid consulting fees of $190,335 each for their assistance and consulting services. There were no sales commissions or other fees paid in connection with the merger-acquisition.

 

THE ACQUISITION OF ACCESS.  On June 18, 2004 we (through our subsidiary Precis-Access Acquisition Corporation) completed the acquisition of Access.  In this acquisition, we issued 488,486 shares of our common stock to National Center for Employment of the Disabled, Inc., a Texas nonprofit corporation, the selling shareholder of Access, “NCED”.  We also agreed to issue an additional number of shares should Access meet certain post-closing earnings targets; provided that in no event shall the total number of shares issued to NCED equal or exceed 20% of our outstanding common stock at the closing of the transaction.  This offering was made pursuant to the applicable registration exemptions of Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, and applicable state securities laws.  We intend to register the shares issued to Access at some time in the futureThere were no sales commissions or other fees paid in connection with the merger-acquisition.

 

REPURCHASES OF THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES DURING THE FOUTH QUARTER OF 2004

 

On July 8, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of our common stock through open market or private purchase transactions over the next year depending on prevailing market conditions.  Through December 31, 2004, the Company has purchased 255,946 shares under this authorization for a total consideration of $681,537 at a weighted average price of $2.66  per share. During the fourth quarter of 2004, repurchases of shares were as follows:

 

24



 

Month

 

Shares
Purchased

 

Weighted
Avg. Stock
Price/Share

 

Cumulative
Number of
Shares
Purchased

 

Number of
Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased
under the Plan

 

October

 

29,200

 

$

2.75

 

161,592

 

338,408

 

November

 

37,464

 

$

2.49

 

199,056

 

300,944

 

December

 

56,890

 

$

2.48

 

255,946

 

244,054

 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The selected financial data presented below for each of the three years ended on December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 have been derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

Statement of Operations Data:(1), (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product and service revenues

 

$

38,318,696

 

$

42,087,671

 

$

43,115,666

 

$

21,056,164

 

$

595,182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of operations

 

15,101,700

 

13,125,851

 

11,543,406

 

7,399,283

 

430,614

 

Sales and marketing

 

10,931,392

 

15,572,188

 

17,059,248

 

7,164,323

 

295,942

 

General and administrative

 

12,919,579

 

6,739,271

 

6,095,360

 

3,218,261

 

531,058

 

Amortization of goodwill (4)

 

 

 

 

578,651

 

15,214

 

Impairment charge for goodwill

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

40,952,671

 

35,437,310

 

34,698,014

 

18,360,518

 

1,272,828

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(2,633,975

)

6,650,361

 

8,417,652

 

2,695,646

 

(677,646

)

Other expense—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income and expense, net

 

56,558

 

149,969

 

64,437

 

(81,278

)

(201,252

)

Total other expense

 

56,558

 

149,969

 

64,437

 

(81,278

)

(201,252

)

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

(2,690,533

)

6,500,392

 

8,353,215

 

2,776,924

 

(476,394

)

Provision for income tax expense (benefit)

 

(734,581

)

2,411,066

 

2,874,852

 

175,846

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

(1,955,952

)

4,089,326

 

5,478,363

 

2,601,078

 

(476,394

)

Preferred stock dividend

 

 

 

14,137

 

236,000

 

16,000

 

Net earnings (loss) applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,464,226

 

$

2,365,078

 

$

(492,394

)

Earnings (loss) per share: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.35

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.30

 

$

(0.21

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.34

 

$

0.46

 

$

0.29

 

$

(0.21

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

11,921,946

 

11,848,789

 

11,790,650

 

8,000,042

 

2,296,000

 

Diluted

 

11,921,946

 

11,924,214

 

11,996,222

 

8,051,607

 

2,296,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,758,624

 

$

7,818,885

 

$

3,989,546

 

$

3,079,496

 

$

(685,267

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

$

(2,595,057

)

$

(945,344

)

$

(920,408

)

$

(1,702,612

)

$

193,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

$

(1,968,534

)

$

(1,397,424

)

$

(1,212,977

)

$

(2,162,615

)

$

5,011,769

 

 

25



 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

8,282,953

 

$

11,087,920

 

Current assets

 

$

15,217,980

 

$

15,617,689

 

Working capital

 

$

6,344,954

 

$

8,818,823

 

Total assets

 

$

41,974,616

 

$

40,813,664

 

Current liabilities

 

$

8,873,026

 

$

6,798,866

 

Total liabilities

 

$

9,605,563

 

$

7,211,560

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

$

32,369,053

 

$

33,602,104

 

 


(1)           As further described in Note 3 to the Financial Statements,  on June 18, 2004, the Company completed its acquisition of Access, a third party administrator, from National Center for the Employment of the Disabled.  Access’ results of operations have been included in the Company’s results of operations from that date. The terms of the transaction were such that the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Access for a purchase price of $3,400,000, consisting of 488,486 shares of common stock of the Company valued at $1,400,000 ($2.87 per share), and $2,000,000 in cash. Additionally, the Company incurred acquisition costs of investment banking, valuation and legal and accounting fees of $266,231, for a total purchase consideration of $3,666,231. The results of Access’ operations are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Also, on June 8, 2001, the Company acquired The Capella Group, Inc. for $2,271,609 in cash, $1,000,000 in notes payable and 2,775,000 shares of common stock with an approximate market value of $5,078,250 as of the closing date, plus additional contingent consideration consisting of  4,800,287 shares that were issued on February 7, 2002. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, with the purchase price allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their respective estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The results of Capella’s operations are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.

 

(2)           Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial information to conform to the current presentation of the financial information.

 

(3)           For the year ended December 31, 2004, 54,863 shares related to outstanding stock options were not included in the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share because the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

(4)           After the effective date of FAS 142 in 2001, goodwill amortization was ceased.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

OVERVIEW

 

CONSUMER HEALTHCARE SAVINGS SOLUTIONS.  We offer savings on healthcare services throughout the United States to persons who are under-insured. These savings are offered by accessing the same preferred provider organizations (PPOs) that are utilized by many insurance companies. These programs are sold primarily through a network marketing strategy under the name Care Entrée™. We design these programs to benefit healthcare providers as well as the network members. Providers commonly give reduced or preferred rates to PPO networks in exchange for steerage of patients. However, the providers must still file claim forms and wait 30 to 60 days to be paid for their services. Our programs utilize these same networks to obtain the same savings for the Care Entrée™ program members. However, the healthcare providers are paid immediately for their services and are not required to file claim forms. We provide transaction facilitation services to both the program member and the healthcare provider.

 

Independent Marketing Representatives (IMRs) may enroll as representatives by paying an enrollment fee and signing a standard representative agreement. We pay independent marketing representatives commissions equal to 20% of the membership fees of members they enroll for the life of that members’ enrollment. Independent marketing representatives can also recruit other representatives and earn override commissions on sales made by those recruited representatives. We pay a total of 35% in override commissions down through seven levels. Independent marketing representatives can also earn a commission equal to the membership fees if three or more program members are enrolled in a month. In the month of membership sales, no override commissions are paid to the representative’s upline. The total regular or ongoing commissions payout, including overrides, on second month membership sales and onward and our contribution to the bonus pools, up to 60% of qualified membership sales.

 

SELF-FUNDED EMPLOYER HEALTHCARE PLANS

 

For governments and other large, self-funded employers seeking to reduce the cost of offering healthcare benefits to

 

26



 

their employees, we can also offer a more streamlined version of our product. In these cases, we offer access to healthcare through our network of providers and the efficient repricing of bills through our proprietary systems. We can offer these services on a price based on either the number of participants per month or as a percentage of savings on healthcare costs actually realized. On June 18, 2004, we acquired Access, a full-service third party administrator, for a purchase price of $3.4 million, consisting of $2,000,000 of cash and $1,400,000 of the Company’s stock.  In addition to the purchase price consideration, there is a contingency payout should the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of Access reach certain amounts after the closing of the transaction and before December 31, 2006.  EBITDA, while not considered a measure under  accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, is the financial measurement utilized for the basis of the contingency payout and additional purchase price payments are dependent on Access achieving certain EBITDA levels. Currently, Access’ earnings are on a pace to exceed those EBITDA targets. Through the acquisition of Access, we now provide a wide range of healthcare claims administration services and other cost containment procedures that are frequently required by governments and other employers who have chosen to self fund their healthcare benefits requirements. Access helps us offer a more complete suite of healthcare services. We are now able to provide individuals and employee groups access to preferred provider networks, medical escrow accounts and full third party administration capabilities to adjudicate and pay medical claims.  From a sales distribution standpoint, we have the ability to grow Access’ regional business through our numerous independent marketing representatives who sell both to individuals and employer groups throughout the United States.  Our acquisition of Access serves to complement our most recent entry into the public sector market through our agreement with the State of Louisiana.  Access’ primary area of expertise is in the public sector market.

 

AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE INSURANCE

 

In September 2003, we organized a new subsidiary under the name Care Financial of Texas, L.L.C. Through Care Financial, we offer our high deductible and scheduled benefit insurance policies. In addition, we have recently added a suite of products including life insurance and annuities, along with Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSAs), Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and medical and dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offered through Care125, a division of Foresight Inc.. The high deductible and scheduled benefit insurance policies, HRAs and medical and dependent care FSAs, when combined with the Care Entrée™ program, offer affordable, well-rounded solutions for individuals and employers who are no longer able to afford or obtain traditional health insurance policies. The HRAs and medical and dependent care FSAs are also sold by our independent marketing representatives who, from a regulatory standpoint, are not required to be licensed to sell these products. The life insurance products serve to complement our healthcare product offerings by addressing our members’ overall financial condition. The insurance policies are sold through our independent marketing representatives who are licensed insurance agents.

 

WHOLESALE MEMBERSHIP SOLUTION

 

Healthcare Membership Programs

 

We also design healthcare membership programs for employer groups and third party marketers. Memberships in these programs are offered and sold by direct marketing through direct sales or in-bound direct marketing. We believe that our clients, their members, and the vendors of the products and services offered through the programs, all benefit from our membership service programs. The products and services are bundled, priced and marketed utilizing relationship marketing strategies or inbound direct marketing to target the profiled needs of the clients’ particular member base. Our memberships sold by third-party organizations are generally marketed using the third-party’s name or brand or under our wholesale brand “For Your Good Health”. We refer to these programs and membership sales as wholesale programs or private label programs. While the services offered to consumers by these private label programs are generally similar to the services we offer through Care Entrée™, each of the private label programs can bundle our services to fit the needs of their consumers. For instance, some of our private label programs do not offer a self-funded escrow program to their members.

 

Rental Purchase and Club Membership Programs

 

We also design club membership programs for rental-purchase companies, financial organizations, employer groups, retailers and association-based organizations. Memberships in these programs are offered and sold as part of a point-of-sale transaction or by direct marketing through direct mail or as inserts. Program members are offered and provided our third-party vendors’ products and services. The products and services are bundled, priced and marketed to target the profiled needs of the clients’ particular customer base. Most of our club membership programs are sold by third-party organizations, generally in connection with a point-of-sale transaction. We refer to these programs and membership sales as wholesale programs. Revenues

 

27



 

from these programs have represented a lesser portion of the Company’s total revenues in recent years than in the past.

 

BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF OUR PROGRAMS

 

We believe that our programs offer members an economic, efficient and convenient method for the selection of products and services. Members are entitled to savings for products and services that may not otherwise be available to them. Vendors of products and services offered and sold through the programs to members are benefited. Vendors are provided the opportunity to reach a large number of demographically targeted customers with minimal incremental marketing cost.

 

OPERATIONAL REVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

 

The year ended December 31, 2004 was very much another transitional year for us. We implemented member escrow accounts during the fourth quarter of 2002 in response to the market changes in the healthcare savings industry, and on October 1, 2003, we expanded the escrow requirements to all programs offering access to medical doctors and physicians. As a result of this change, we now require all of our members to escrow funds with us prior to utilizing any physician, hospital or ancillary services. As of December 31, 2004, the percentage of our individual members who have escrowed funds with us was approximately 34.4% of the total individual healthcare membership base. This excludes our private label programs, where the escrow requirements have not been mandated.

 

Our healthcare membership base was approximately 57,000 members as of December 31, 2004 as compared to 81,000 members as of December 31, 2003, a decrease of approximately 24,000 members or 29.6%. The reduction in our healthcare membership base was primarily due to the implementation of the escrow account requirements for hospitalized care in the fourth quarter of 2002, and expansion to physicians and doctors commencing on October 1, 2003. In addition, our healthcare savings program has experienced issues with provider acceptance in some markets.

 

As a result of some of healthcare program changes introduced during 2003 and 2002, our independent marketing representative base experienced a significant reduction in 2004 and 2003. We, however, continue to maintain the majority of our core business leaders whose downline organizations generate a substantial portion of our revenues.

 

Although these escrow requirements negatively impacted our membership base and consequently our revenues and net earnings in 2004, these changes were required to help provide assurance of payment to the healthcare providers and accordingly, their continued willingness to provide healthcare services to our members. This strategic move was critical to our long-term operational and financial viability in the health card savings market as many healthcare providers throughout the United States will no longer accept a “health discount” card. The success of our new healthcare product offering has not been fully determined. Therefore, its long-term impact on both revenues and net earnings is currently unknown and may not be known for some time. The growth of our members escrow or cash-in-trust to $4,921,626 as of December 31, 2004 from $2,768,447 as of December 31, 2003 and from $108,152 as of December 31, 2002 and provides preliminary although not conclusive evidence of the acceptance of this form of medical savings product offering.

 

Our operating results did benefit from the acquisition of Access in June of 2004. While included in operations for only slightly more than six months during 2004, Access contributed $3,670,375 or 10% to our 2004 revenue and $298,817 of net earnings (after taxes) to partially offset our other losses. Access has successfully secured multi-year contracts on favorable terms with its two largest clients and has brought us a stable source of revenue.  Moreover, we have realized certain intangible benefits from the acquisition.  For instance, we have broadened the management responsibilities of several members of Access’ management team to company-wide roles.  Our new Chief Operating Officer, Frank Apodaca, is the President and C.E.O. of Access and he will be implementing, on a company-wide basis, operational controls that have been successful at Access.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003, we began reorganizing and rebuilding our corporate sales team to be better positioned to enter into the large self-insured employer group and medical benefits market. We restructured our in-house sales team and in January 2004 hired a Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing to lead this area, both from a strategy and execution standpoint. Our medical savings product offering in conjunction with our Care125 medical savings account provide an alternative healthcare product offering for a growing number of companies that have chosen to move towards the self-funded and/or high deductible insurance route. The Group Division has positioned itself for growth in 2005 by implementing a more focused sales strategy that capitalizes on both the consumer-driven health care interest sweeping the group marketplace as well as the continued decline in group insurance participation due to the unrelenting rise in group health care insurance costs.  By being able to now package its HRA and HSA products, self-funded capabilities, and an A-rated high deductible major medical plan

 

28



 

through a newly formed partnership, Precis is positioned to offer a true consumer-driven healthcare strategy to the group marketplace.  Also by repackaging its non-insurance healthcare saving programs so that it can be effectively sold by the largest Worksite Brokers in the country we can now aggressively market a cost effective non-insurance solution to those employees and/or their dependents who can no longer participate in their groups’ healthcare insurance plan due to soaring costs.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Healthcare Membership Revenues

 

The Company recognizes membership revenues, other than initial enrollment Fees, on each monthly anniversary date. Membership revenues are reduced by the amount of refunds estimated to be incurred.  For members that are billed directly, collection of the billed amount is collected almost entirely by automated clearing house electronic check or by electronic charge to the members’ credit card. The settlement of those charges occurs within a day or two. In a minority of cases, the membership fees may be billed to the member by our private label partners, and then our portion of such revenue is remitted to us on a periodic basis. During the time from the billing of such member fees and their remittance to us, we record a receivable from those private label partners, for which management must estimate an allowance for uncollectible accounts.

 

Member enrollment fees, net of direct costs, are deferred and amortized over the estimated membership period, which averages eight to ten months. Independent marketing representative fees, net of direct costs, are deferred and amortized over the term of the contract. Judgment is involved in the allocation of costs to determine the direct costs netted against those deferred revenues, as well as in estimating the membership period over which to amortize such net revenue. The Company maintains analysis of such costs and collects statistics on such membership periods as a basis for adjusting these estimates from time to time.

 

Access Third Party Administration

 

Access recognizes revenue based upon the individual contract arrangements that it has with each of its’ clients, ie., when the contractual obligations are satisfied.

 

Rental Purchase and Club Membership Revenues

 

Rental purchase and club membership revenues are recognized in the month that our products and services have been delivered to our clients. We sell rental purchase and club membership programs on a wholesale basis to our clients. The wholesale client remits a portion of the rental purchase and club membership revenues to us and retains the balance as compensation for having made the sale. We provide an allowance for those accounts that we consider to be uncollectible.

 

COMMISSION EXPENSE

 

Commissions are paid to our independent marketing representatives in the month following the month in which a member has enrolled in our Care Entrée™ program. Commissions are only paid in the following month when the related monthly membership fees have been received. We do not pay advanced commissions on membership sales. The amounts of commission are based upon established commission schedules and are determined and accrued based upon the recognition the related healthcare membership revenue, as described above.

 

ACQUISITIONS

 

During 2004, we acquired Access for a total purchase price of $3,666,231.  That purchase price consideration was allocated in the following amounts: (i) $521,141 has been allocated to net working capital components primarily based upon their respective present values of amounts to be received and paid, ii) $1,400,000 has been allocated to a contract acquired in the acquisition of Access based upon its estimated fair value, (iii) $ 205,936 has been allocated to fixed assets based upon their estimated replacement costs and (iv) $2,304,032 has been allocated to goodwill based upon the excess of the cost of Access over the net amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as previously described. The allocation of $2,304,032 to goodwill is considered appropriate, as Access strategically complements the Company’s healthcare service offering.

 

29



 

FIXED ASSETS

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial reporting purposes and principally on accelerated methods for tax purposes. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is shorter. The estimation of useful lives involves judgment and is based, in part, upon past experience with similar assets and upon management’s plans for the utilization of assets in the future.

 

We periodically reviews property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable or their depreciation or amortization periods should be accelerated. When any such impairment exists, the related assets will be written down to their fair value. If we determine that the remaining useful life, based upon current events and circumstances, should be adjusted, the depreciation or amortization of the related asset is adjusted on a prospective basis.

 

INTANGIBLE ASSET VALUATION

 

Our intangible assets, consisting primarily of goodwill of $21,381,316 as of December 31, 2004, represented the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized. During the year ended December 31, 2004, our intangible assets were reduced by $2,000,000 to reflect impairment of the goodwill arising from our acquisition of Foresight, Inc. in 2000 and were increased by $2,304,032 to reflect the goodwill arising from our acquisition of Access and by $1,400,000 allocated to a contract acquired in the acquisition of Access. During the year ended December 31, 2002, our goodwill was decreased to reflect the recognition of an income tax benefit of $982,236 which relates to our 2001 merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc. During the year ended December 31, 2001, our goodwill was increased by $822,076 to adjust for deferred fees pertaining to the merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc.

 

As of  December 31, 2004, our intangible assets represented approximately 54% of our total assets. The intangible assets balance of $22,781,316 as of December 31, 2004 consisted of $19,077,284 which arose from the merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc. and $3,704,032 from the acquisition of Access, as described above.  As of December 31, 2004, we conducted our annual goodwill impairment review.  Our goodwill valuation is dependent primarily on the projected revenue and net earnings of our Care Entrée™ healthcare business, our Foresight membership business and Access healthcare business. The company estimates the fair value of each of those reporting units, primarily on the basis of valuing projected revenue and net earnings using market comparables and compares it with the reporting unit’s book value, which equals the recorded amounts of assets and allocated goodwill less liabilities. When the fair value of those reporting units is greater than the reporting unit’s book value, there is no impairment, and the test is complete. Otherwise, the company estimates the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill by repeating the process performed at acquisition. This requires subtracting estimated current fair values of the unit’s identifiable net assets from the unit’s estimated fair value, and comparing the difference with the carrying amount of the goodwill. When the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is greater than carrying amount of the goodwill, the goodwill is not impaired and there is no write-off. When implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is less than the carrying amount of the goodwill, however, the company must record an impairment write-off equal to the difference. The procedures surrounding goodwill valuation can at times be very subjective and difficult to quantify given that the projected revenue and net earnings associated with our Care Entrée™ healthcare membership business is based on a business strategy that is fairly new, innovative and evolutionary in nature. This is particularly difficult given the our recent history of decreasing revenues resulting from a more complex escrow-based healthcare savings product, a frustrated independent marketing sales force, and  increased expenses from, among other things, new compensatory sales initiatives produced an operating loss.  As stated above, in the first quarter of 2005, we have undertaken measures and initiatives to improve our operating performance.  These measures and initiatives include (i) the integration of Access management members with our management team, as mentioned above, (ii) the termination of certain equipment capital leases, (iii) other cost reduction actions, and (iv) exploration of additional products to compliment our core healthcare savings product and offer additional compensatory incentives to our independent marketing representatives. We have incorporated the expected impact of those measures in our estimation of  the projected revenue and net earnings associated with our Care Entrée™ healthcare membership business for purposes of that goodwill valuation analysis. In the case of Access’ more mature business, revenues and earnings are more stable, with generally a lower potential growth rate than our Care Entrée™ business, and therefore the goodwill impairment review process for that reporting unit is less difficult. With respect to the $2,000,000 of goodwill associated with the Foresight acquisition in 2000, based upon the operating results of Foresight in 2004 and projected revenues and earnings, we determined that the estimated fair value of Foresight did not exceed the carrying value of the Foresight tangible assets.  This impairment arose

 

30



 

from the continuing decline in the revenues, and increases in the losses, in that subsidiary, as detailed in Note 15 — Segmented Information to the Financial Statements included herein. Accordingly, a charge to earnings was recorded to reflect that $2,000,000 impairment of the Foresight goodwill.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes related primarily to differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting. The net deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. We evaluate the probability of recognizing the benefit of deferred tax assets through the reduction of taxes otherwise payable in the future and the need to provide an allowance against the carrying amount of such deferred tax assets if it is more probable than not that some or all of those assets will not be realized.

 

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R), a revision to SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123).  SFAS No. 123R eliminates the alternative to use the Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25’s (Opinion 25) intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in SFAS No. 123 as originally issued.

 

Under Opinion 25, issuing stock options to employees generally resulted in recognition of no compensation cost.  SFAS No. 123R requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service, in exchange for the award - the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).  No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service.

 

Companies will initially measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of instruments classified as liabilities  based on its current fair value; the fair value of the awards classified as a liability will be remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date.  Changes in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period.

 

The grant-date fair value of employee share options, or the Company’s restricted stock and similar instruments classified in the balance sheet as equity will be estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments (unless observable market prices for the same or similar instruments are available); the fair value of awards classified as equity will not be remeasured.  If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.

 

Excess tax benefits, as defined by SFAS No. 123R, will be recognized as an addition to paid-in capital.  Cash retained as a result of those excess tax benefits will be presented in the statement of cash flows as financing cash inflows.  The write-off of deferred tax assets relating to unrealized tax benefits associated with recognized compensation cost will be recognized as income tax expense unless there are excess tax benefits from previous awards remaining in paid-in capital to which it can be offset.

 

SFAS No. 123R applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date.  As of the required effective date, companies that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 will apply SFAS No. 123R using a modified version of prospective application.  Under that transition method, compensation cost is recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosure.  The cumulative effect of initially applying SFAS No. 123R, if any, is recognized as of the required effective date.  SFAS No. 123R is effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005.  Based upon existing option issuances, management estimates that the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will reduce EPS by approximately $.03 per share for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table sets forth selected results of our operations from our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 as a percent of total revenue for the years presented.

 

 

 

For the Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Product and service revenues

 

100

%

100

%

100

%

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of operations

 

39

 

31

 

27

 

Sales and marketing

 

29

 

37

 

40

 

General and administrative

 

34

 

16

 

14

 

Impairment charge for goodwill

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

107

 

84

 

81

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(7

)

16

 

19

 

Other expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

 

Total other expense

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings before taxes

 

(7

)

16

 

19

 

Provision for income tax (benefit) expense

 

(2

)

6

 

7

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

(5

)%

10

%

12

%

 

COMPARISON OF 2004 AND 2003

 

PRODUCT AND SERVICE REVENUES.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, revenues were $38,318,696, a decrease of $3,768,975, or 9.0% from $42,087,671 during 2003. The reduction in 2004 revenues was primarily due to continuing reductions in the members in our Care Entrée program as a result of our implementation of member escrow account requirements for hospitalized care commencing in late 2002 of $6,861,920 offset in part by revenues of  $3,670,375 from Access that was acquired in June 2004. The requirement of member escrow deposits was in response to the market changes in the healthcare savings industry. In addition, effective October 1, 2003, the escrow account requirements was expanded to include all doctors and physicians. Under the escrow arrangement, we pre-certify the members’ ability to pay based on available escrow account balances and process the members’ payments directly to the medical providers to help assure payment of the healthcare providers. As a result of these changes, we believe an enhanced healthcare product offering has been created for members and the healthcare providers. The overall success and impact of revenues and net earnings of this newly restructured product offering will not be known for some time. The escrowed funds referred to as cash-in-trust on our balance sheet was $4,921,626  as of December 31, 2004.  Through the acquisition of Access, we provide a wide range of healthcare claims administration services and other cost containment procedures that are frequently required by governments and other employers who have chosen to self fund their healthcare benefits requirements. For 2004, more than 86.1% of our revenues were attributable to our healthcare membership program.

 

Additionally, revenue in our Foresight wholesale club membership programs declined by $936,808, or 50.3%, due to the maturity and competitive nature of this business. The reduction in revenue in our Care Entrée™ program and wholesale club membership programs during 2004 was offset in part by increased revenue of $359,378 in our Care Financial division.

 

Operating Metrics

 

Our healthcare membership base declined during 2004 by approximately 24,000 members or 29.6% to approximately 57,000 members as of December 31, 2004 as compared to 81,000 members as of December 31, 2003, , and as compared to a decrease during 2003 of approximately 11,000 members or 12.0% from the approximately 92,000 members as of December 31, 2002, Those declines in membership were the primary cause of the $6,861,920 (approximately 17%) decrease in Care Entrée program member revenues from 2003 to 2004 described above.  The reduction in our healthcare membership base was due to the

 

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implementation of the escrow account requirements for hospitalized care in the fourth quarter of 2002, and expansion to physicians and doctors commencing on October 1, 2003.

 

As a result of some of healthcare program changes introduced during 2004 and 2003, our independent marketing representative base experienced a significant reduction in 2004. We, however, continue to maintain the majority of our core business leaders whose downline organizations generate a substantial portion of our revenues.

 

COST OF OPERATIONS.  Cost of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased $1,975,849 or 15.1% to $15,101,700 from $13,125,851 during 2003. The increase in cost of operations primarily arose from inclusion in the operating results $2,052,615 of expenses for Access, from its acquisition in June 2004. The relatively fixed nature of expenses in our Care Entrée program during a period of declining revenues coupled with a shift toward private label sales of our healthcare membership product led to a drop in gross profit in that program from 2003 to 2004. The relatively fixed nature of expenses of our Care Entrée program was largely due to the capital leases of printing equipment entered into when membership level and enrollment activity was at a significantly higher level. Most of these leases terminate in the first six months of 2005 and the associated equipment will be replaced with equipment costing approximately $1,500,000 less per year. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005, we experienced a deterioration in the collectibility of receivables and notes from certain of our private label partners, leading to an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts and notes and a charge to costs of operations of $1,012,253. Those increases were offset in part by decreases in costs of access to provider networks of $455,235. Cost of operations, as a percentage of revenues, was 39.4% of revenues during 2004, while in 2003 cost of operations was 31.2% of revenues.

 

SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES.  Sales and marketing expenses decreased $4,640,796 or a decrease of 29.8%, to $10,931,392 during the year ended December 31, 2004 from $15,572,188 during 2003. Sales and marketing expenses represented 28.5% and 37.0% of the revenues during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in sales and marketing expense was primarily due to a $4,215,706 decrease commission expense related to a decrease in revenue from healthcare savings services of $6,861,920 from 2003 to 2004 as well as a shift toward private label sales of our healthcare membership product, resulting in lower commission costs but also a decline in gross profit margins.  The decrease as a percentage of revenues was also due to the inclusion in Access revenues that have a much lower level of associated sales and marketing costs when compared to our other operations.

 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  General and administrative expenses increased $6,180,308 or 91.7% to $12,919,579 during the year ended December 31, 2004 from $6,739,271 during 2003. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the June 2004 acquisition of Access that added $1,152,557 to these costs, legal fees and litigation costs of $868,209, introduction of our Care 125 and Care Financial products that increased these costs by $917,803, and management of the member escrow accounts for our healthcare savings products that increased these costs by $549,473. The additional costs of Care Financial during 2004 include $678,000 of management fees paid under an arrangement that ended in March 2005. Additionally, the cost of being a public company increased approximately $200,000 from approximately $600,000 in 2003 to approximately $800,000 in 2004. General and administrative expenses represented 33.7% and 16.0% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL. With respect to the $2,000,000 of goodwill associated with the Foresight acquisition in 2000, based upon the operating results of Foresight in 2004 and projected revenues and earnings, we determined that the estimated fair value of Foresight did not exceed the carrying value of the Foresight tangible assets.  This impairment arose from the continuing decline in the revenues, and increases in the losses, in that subsidiary, as detailed in Note 15 — Segmented Information to the Financial Statements included herein. Accordingly, a charge to earnings was recorded to reflect that $2,000,000 impairment of the Foresight goodwill.

 

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, total operating expenses (consisting of costs of operations, sales and marketing expenses, general and administrative expenses and impairment of goodwill) increased $5,515,360 or 15.6%, to $40,952,671 from $35,437,311 during 2003. Total operating expenses represented 106.9% and 84.2% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in operating margins was due to the reasons described above.

 

OPERATING INCOME AND NET EARNINGS (LOSS).  During the year ended December 31, 2004, our operating loss was $2,633,975, a decrease of $9,284,336 or 139.6% from the operating income of $6,650,361 during 2003. Our net loss was $1,955,952, or 5.1% of revenues, net of provision for an income tax benefit of  $734,581. During the year ended

 

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December 31, 2004, we incurred tax costs of approximately $564,233 with respect to state taxes. In comparison, during 2003 net earnings were $4,089,326, or 9.7% of revenues net of provision for income taxes of $2,411,066. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, net earnings (loss) per common share, calculated on a diluted basis, were $(0.16) and $0.34, respectively.

 

COMPARISON OF 2003 AND 2002

 

PRODUCT AND SERVICE REVENUES.  During the year ended December 31, 2003, revenues were $42,087,671, a decrease of $1,027,995, or 2.4% from $43,115,666 during 2002. The reduction in actual revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 was primarily due to reductions in (i) the members in our Care Entrée program as a result of our implementation of member escrow account requirements for hospitalized care commencing in the fourth quarter of 2002 of $1,028,775 offset in part by escrow maintenance fees of $442,930 and (ii) our wholesale club membership programs of $790,399. The requirement of member escrow deposits was in response to the market changes in the healthcare savings industry. In addition, effective October 1, 2003, the escrow account requirements for hospitalized care was expanded to include all medical doctors and physicians. Under the escrow arrangement, we pre-certify members’ ability to pay based on available escrow account balances and process the members’ payments directly to the medical providers to help assure the payment of the healthcare providers. As a result of these changes, we believe an enhanced healthcare product offering has been created for members and the healthcare providers. The escrowed funds referred to as cash-in-trust on our balance sheet was $2,768,447 as of December 31, 2003. The reduction in revenue in our wholesale club membership programs was due to the maturity and competitive nature of this business as compared to our healthcare membership savings business that operates in a growth market.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, more than 90% of our revenues were attributable to our healthcare membership program.

 

The reduction in revenue in our Care Entrée™ program and wholesale club membership programs during 2003 was offset in part by increased revenue of $255,765 in our Care Financial division.

 

Operating Metrics

 

Our healthcare membership base was approximately 81,000 members as of December 31, 2003 as compared to 92,000 members as of December 31, 2002, a decrease of approximately 11,000 members or 12.0%. The reduction was most noticeable in the fourth quarter of 2003 where our membership decreased by approximately 4,000, or 4.7% during this period. The reduction in our healthcare membership base was due to the implementation of the escrow account requirements for hospitalized care in the fourth quarter of 2002, and expansion to physicians and doctors commencing in October  2003.

 

As a result of some of healthcare program changes introduced during 2003 and 2002, our independent marketing representative base experienced a significant reduction in 2003. We, however, continue to maintain the majority of our core business leaders whose downline organizations generate a substantial portion of our revenues.

 

COST OF OPERATIONS.  Cost of operations for the year ended December 31, 2003 increased $1,582,445 or 13.7% to $13,125,851 from $11,543,406 during 2002. The increase in cost of operations primarily arose from our increased member service staff and other personnel of $479,929 necessary to support our operations, particularly our Foresight, Inc. division which acts as a third party administrator for claims review and payment processing from member escrow accounts, the increase in preferred provider network costs of $833,794 as a result of several ancillary products introduced in 2003, and the additional full year depreciation expense associated with capital leases acquired for printing purposes of $442,814 in the fourth quarter of 2002 net of outsourced printing costs.

 

Cost of operations, as a percentage of revenues, were 31.2% of revenues during the year ended December 31, 2003, while in 2002 cost of operations were 26.8% of revenues. This increase was for the reasons described above.

 

SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES.  Sales and marketing expenses decreased $1,487,060 or a decrease of 8.7%, to $15,572,188 during the year ended December 31, 2003 from $17,059,248 during 2002. Sales and marketing expenses represented 37.0% and 39.6% of the revenues during the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decrease as a percentage of revenues was primarily due to certain threshold sales qualification requirements not being attained by our independent marketing representatives as well as a shift in the mix between private label and healthcare membership business.

 

34



 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  General and administrative expenses increased $643,911 or 10.6% to $6,739,271 during the year ended December 31, 2003 from $6,095,360 during 2002. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2003 was primarily due to additional salaries and other administrative costs of $360,699 necessary to support both our information systems and financial capabilities and administrative operations as well as the recruitment of a Chief Information Officer and a more experienced information systems staff. In addition, the Company has incurred additional public company costs of $233,694 which include certain effects of Sarbanes-Oxley. General and administrative expenses represented 16.0% and 14.1% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

 

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES.  During the year ended December 31, 2003, total operating expenses (consisting of costs of operations, sales and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses) increased $739,296 or 2.1%, to $35,437,310 from $34,698,014 during 2002. Total operating expenses represented 84.2% and 80.5% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The decrease in operating margins was due to the reasons described above.

 

OPERATING INCOME AND NET EARNINGS.  During the year ended December 31, 2003, operating income was $6,650,361, a decrease of $1,767,291, or 21.0% from $8,417,652 during 2002. Net earnings were $4,089,326, or 9.7% of revenues, net of provision for income taxes of $2,411,066. During the year ended December 31, 2003, we incurred additional tax costs of approximately $184,000 with respect to state taxes. In comparison, during 2002 net earnings were $5,478,363, or 12.7% of revenues net of provision for income taxes of $2,874,852. During the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, net earnings per common share, calculated on a fully diluted basis, was $0.34 and $0.46, respectively.

 

PRO FORMA EFFECT OF STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

We have historically used stock options to retain and compensate our officers, directors, employees and others. During 2004, 2003 and 2002, we granted stock options for the purchase of our common stock to our officers, directors, employees and others. In accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, no compensation cost for these stock options was recognized in our financial statements because the exercise price was equal to or exceeded the fair value of our common stock at the date of grant. The outstanding stock options granted in 2004, 2003 and 2002 had an estimated fair value at the date of grant of the options of $1,232,405, $728,892, and $1,038,133 , respectively, utilizing the methodology prescribed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensations.  After giving effect to the estimated fair value of these options, our pro forma net (loss) earnings were $(2,271,535) ($0.16 basic loss per common share) and $3,862,933 ($0.33 basic earnings per common share) for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

INCOME TAX PROVISION

 

SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, requires the separate recognition, measured at currently enacted tax rates, of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities, and net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes. A valuation allowance must be established for deferred tax assets if it is “more likely than not” that all or a portion will not be realized. At December 31, 2004 and 2003 , we had deferred tax benefits resulting in large part from the benefits from net operating loss carryforwards of $1,801,368 and $760,681, respectively,  which, if not utilized, will expire at various dates through 2020. The cumulative net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $1,146,096 and $623,409, respectively.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES.  Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $1,758,624 and $7,818,885, respectively, an decrease of $6,060,261. The decrease in net cash from operating activities was negatively impacted primarily due to the decline in profitability discussed above.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $7,818,885 and $3,989,546, respectively, an increase of $3,829,339. The increase in net cash from operating activities was positively impacted primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense of $1,121,794 (a non-cash activity), an improvement in accounts receivable collection of $1,668,744 and an additional income tax payment of $791,040 that was made during the three months ended June 30, 2002.

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES.  Net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

35



 

consisted of $2,595,057 and $945,344, respectively, and was used for the acquisition of Access in 2004 and to purchase fixed assets necessary to accommodate and support our operations. The majority of our fixed asset purchases for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were in respect of recently developed computer software and some hardware purchases.

 

During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we entered into net issuances (settlements) of capital lease obligations of $185,813 and $(504,152), respectively. These net settlements of capital lease obligations represented the excess of capital lease retirements over obligations. These leases were not included in our net cash used in investing activities because they are considered non-cash in nature. Our capital lease obligations are primarily related to the copiers and other machinery used to develop and produce member and independent marketing representatives’ directories, training videos and sales aids materials.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2002, was $920,408. During the year ended December 31, 2002, net cash of $920,408 was used to purchase fixed assets, primarily computer software and hardware purchases, necessary to support the growth in our operations.

 

In connection with the acquisition of Access, there is a contingency payout should the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of Access reach certain amounts after the closing of the transaction and before December 31, 2006.  EBITDA, while not  considered a measure under  accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, is the financial measurement utilized for the basis of the contingency payout and additional purchase price payments are dependent on Access achieving certain EBITDA levels.  The maximum amount of the consideration that may be paid to the seller of Access, including the closing date purchase price consideration and investment banking, valuation and legal and accounting fees, is $9,773,500. The amount of contingency payments and common stock deliveries based upon EBDITA through December 31, 2006, will be based upon a 3.22 multiple of EBITDA of Access determined on a quarterly basis, with effective adjustments as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Company expects that Access will achieve those EBITDA levels and that, as a result, contingent payouts will be made. However, the amount of payouts through December 31, 2006 cannot be estimated at this time. The contingency payout will be accounted for as a decrease in the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the amount paid, an increase to stockholders’ equity for the fair value issued and a corresponding increase in goodwill for the value of the cash paid and stock issued.

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES.  Net cash used in financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $1,968,534, $1,397,424 and $1,212, 977, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2004, net cash of $681,537 was used for repurchase of the Company’s outstanding shares under the Company’s Common Stock Repurchase Plan and net cash of $1,291,435 was used for repayments on capital leases. During the year ended December 31, 2003, net cash of $1,428,530 was used for repayments on capital leases. During the year ended December 31, 2002, net cash of $1,212,977 was used to redeem preferred stock of $1,000,000 and for payments on capital leases of $809,091, offset in part by proceeds of $610,251 from exercise of stock options and warrants.

 

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, we have working capital of $6,344,954 and $8,818,823, respectively. Other than our capital lease obligations of $591,486, we do not have any capital commitments. We do not anticipate that our capital expenditures for the year ending December 31, 2005 will exceed the amount incurred for the year ended December 31, 2004. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents, and cash provided by operations will be sufficient to fund our normal operations and capital expenditures for the next 12 months.

 

Because our capital requirements cannot be predicted with certainty there is no assurance that we will not require any additional financing before the expiration of the 12-month period. There is no assurance that any additional financing will be available on terms satisfactory to us or advantageous to our shareholders.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

OPERATING LEASES

 

We lease various office spaces and certain machinery and equipment. These leases are classified as operating leases within the meaning of SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases. Our financial commitments under these leases continue through

 

36



 

December 15, 2006.

 

CAPITAL LEASES

 

We have several capital leases for office equipment. These leases are classified as capital leases within the meaning of SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases. Our financial commitments under these leases end in early 2006.

 

 

Description

 

Payments Due by Period

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

Less Than 1
Year

 

1-3 Years

 

3-5 Years

 

More than
5 Years

 

Operating Leases

 

$

789,174

 

$

427,177

 

$

361,997

 

 

 

Capital Leases

 

$

666,133

 

$

566,060

 

$

100,073

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,455,307

 

$

993,237

 

$

462,070

 

 

 

 

The payment amounts for capital leases include $23,000 of implicit interest.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We do not have any investments in market risk sensitive investments.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND SEASONALITY

 

The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations data for each of the eight quarters in 2004 and 2003. The quarterly information is unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the periods presented. The results of operations for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

 

Our consolidated financial statements begin on page F-1.

 

 

 

QUARTER ENDED (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31

 

June 30

 

September 30

 

December 31 (2)

 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product and service revenues(1)

 

$

9,946,131

 

$

9,403,212

 

$

10,291,188

 

$

8,678,165

 

Total operating expenses(1)

 

8,828,299

 

8,801,515

 

9,999,726

 

13,323,131

 

Operating income

 

1,117,832

 

601,697

 

291,462

 

(4,644,966

)

Earnings before income taxes

 

1,088,825

 

580,208

 

284,514

 

(4,644,080

)

Provision for income taxes

 

482,873

 

292,327

 

188,231

 

(1,698,012

)

Net earnings

 

$

605,952

 

$

287,881

 

$

96,283

 

$

(2,946,068

)

Earnings per share: (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.01

 

$

(0.24

)

Diluted

 

$

0.05

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.01

 

$

(0.24

)

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product and service revenues(1)

 

$

10,762,309

 

$

10,963,994

 

$

10,268,629

 

$

10,092,739

 

Total operating expenses(1)

 

8,975,850

 

8,971,402

 

8,735,312

 

8,754,747

 

Operating income

 

1,786,459

 

1,992,592

 

1,533,317

 

1,337,992

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

1,757,479

 

1,947,665

 

1,493,709

 

1,301,538

 

Provision for income taxes(4)

 

570,719

 

681,285

 

522,739

 

636,321

 

Net earnings

 

$

1,186,760

 

$

1,266,380

 

$

970,970

 

$

665,217

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.06

 

Diluted

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.08

 

$

0.05

 

 

37



 


(1)           Certain reclassifications have been made to prior quarterly financial information to conform to the current presentation of the quarterly financial information.

 

(2)           In the fourth quarter of 2004, a $2,000,000 goodwill impairment charge was recorded, provisions for uncollectible accounts and notes were recorded in the aggregate amount of $1,012,253 and a provision for costs and losses for pending litigation was recorded in the amount of $187,500.

 

(3)           For the year ended December 31, 2004, 54,863 shares related to outstanding stock options were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

 (4)          Included in the income tax provision for the fourth quarter of 2003, is an additional amount for state income taxes of approximately $184,000.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

We did not have any disagreements with our independent accountants concerning matters of accounting principle or financial statement disclosure during 2004 of the type requiring disclosure hereunder.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are responsible primarily for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Furthermore, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are responsible for the design and supervision of our internal controls over financial reporting that are then effected by and through our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These policies and procedures

 

              pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

              provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and

 

              provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

In connection with our year end close process, the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2004 and in preparation for commencement of an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during 2005 based upon the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO), an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are not effective at December 31, 2004, due to one material weakness and four significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting noted below.  Our management reported to our auditors and the audit committee of our board of directors that, other than the changes implemented to remediate the material weakness and significant deficiencies noted below, no other change in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth quarter of 2004 that would materially affect or was reasonably likely to materially affect our disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting. In conducting their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over

 

38



 

financial reporting, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, did not discover any fraud that involved management or other employees who have a significant role in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting. Furthermore, there were significant changes in our disclosure controls and procedures, internal controls over financial reporting, or other factors that could significantly affect our disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting subsequent to the date of their evaluation consisting of corrective actions necessary or taken to correct significant deficiencies in our internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures.

 

Changes to Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the fourth quarter of 2004, management recognized the need to improve its internal controls over financial reporting in the following areas:

 

Material Weakness

 

              We found that losses were probable in the collection of outstanding accounts and notes receivable but those losses had not been adequately quantified or provided for in the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Significant Deficiencies

 

              We found general information technology control deficiencies related to disaster recovery and control over the program change process,

 

              We found inadequate reconciliation procedures for transactions and balances in cash-in-trust held on behalf of members who have escrowed funds with the Company,

 

              We found inadequate information technology application controls over the accuracy of claims transactions through our claims processing systems, and

 

              We found inadequately detailed reporting of member statistics such as enrollments, terminations, and number of healthcare members for use in analytical review and control of our membership revenue, provider network cost and commission expense transactions.

 

We were unable to completely remediate these weaknesses before the end of the fourth quarter, although we implemented partial remediation of them in the form of interim changes to internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter. Also, we conducted additional procedures and implemented interim manual control procedures to enable us to assure the accuracy of the financial statements for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 contained in this Form 10-K.

 

After year end, management launched initiatives to put into operation new controls to address the material weakness and the significant deficiencies described above. Management believes that these new controls will remediate the significant deficiencies in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that existed as of December 31, 2004, and that these internal controls will be effective at the reasonable assurance level. However, since these changes were implemented after year end, these changes did not alter the conclusion of management that our internal controls were not effective at year end.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

We have no information to report that should have been reported in a filing on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT

 

OUR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to each of our executive officers and directors. Our directors are

 

39



 

generally elected at the annual shareholders’ meeting and hold office until the next annual shareholders’ meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. Our executive officers are elected by our board of directors and serve at its discretion. Our bylaws authorize the board of directors to be constituted of not less than one and the number as our board of directors may determine by resolution or election. Our board of directors currently consists of seven members.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position

Judith H. Henkels(1)

 

50

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Robert Bintliff

 

51

 

Chief Financial Officer

Frank Apodaca

 

42

 

Chief Operating Officer and President and C.E.O. of Access HealthSource, Inc.

Eliseo Ruiz III

 

39

 

Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary

Coleman Orr

 

60

 

President of the Care Entrée division

Kenneth S. George(1)(4)

 

56

 

Director

Kent H. Webb, M.D.(2)(4)

 

47

 

Director

Eugene E. Becker(1)(2)(3)

 

55

 

Director

J. French Hill(2)(3)

 

48

 

Director

Nicholas J. Zaffiris(4)(1)

 

41

 

Director

Robert E. Jones(1)

 

59

 

Director

 


(1)           Member of the Compensation Committee.

 

(2)           Member of the Audit Committee.

 

(3)           Member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

 

(4)           Member of the Medical Committee.

 

The following is a brief description of the business background of our executive officers and directors:

 

Judith H. Henkels serves as our Chief Executive Officer and President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ms. Henkels is the founder of Capella Group and has over 26 years of business experience, with a concentration in accounting, finance and healthcare. She has over 19 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Prior to founding Capella Group she was the Executive Vice President and CFO for Linnaeus, Inc. during the period 1994 through 1997. Linnaeus is a managed care systems company and owned a Third Party Administrator (TPA). While at Linnaeus, Ms. Henkels was instrumental in selling the TPA and finding new venture capital to support the ongoing operations of the systems company. From 1991 through 1994, Ms. Henkels was CFO and Executive Vice President for Premier BioResources, Inc., a company that owned and operated plasma centers throughout the U.S. From 1985 through 1991 Ms. Henkels worked for The BOC Group (a British Conglomerate) in their healthcare segment. She held various controllership roles in the anesthesia, critical care and home health care divisions and was the first woman to hold the role of Vice President in BOC throughout the world. Prior to BOC, Ms. Henkels also held financial positions in the Worthington Division of Dresser Industries (formerly McGraw Edison) and the accounting firm Ernst & Whinney, now Ernst & Young. Ms. Henkels is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds an MBA degree from Rutgers University where she graduated first in her class, and a B.A. degree from Iowa State University.

 

Robert Bintliff serves as our Chief Financial Officer and has been with us since August 2004.  Mr. Bintliff’s experience includes six years as an audit partner with Coopers & Lybrand (at which he was employed from 1985-1995), President and CEO of Jim Bridges Acquisition Company, a privately held firm (1995-1999) and as Chief Financial Officer for Comercis, Inc., a business software company that he helped take public (1999-2001).  Earlier in his career, he served as a senior member of the financial management team of InterFirst Corporation, a $9 billion regional bank holding company (1981-1985).  He had most recently operated his own accounting and management consulting practice in the Dallas/Fort Worth area (2001-2004).  Mr. Bintliff holds a B.B.A. in accounting from Texas Christian University.  He is a CPA licensed in Texas, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

Frank Apodaca has served as President and C.E.O. of our subsidiary, Access HealthSource, Inc., since June 18, 2004, and as our Chief Operating Officer since February 23, 2005.  Mr. Apodaca has been the President and C.E.O. of Access Healthsource, Inc. since 2000.  Mr. Apodaca was President of Advantage Care Network, Inc., a privately-held network of

 

40



 

healthcare providers, from 1995 to 1997.  From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Apodaca was President of Apodaca Health Care Associates and of Frontera Associates, L.L.C., both privately-held companies providing healthcare services.   Mr. Apodaca is also associated with various companies operating or associated with National Center for Employment of the Disabled (“NCED”), a Texas nonprofit corporation.  His employment agreement with us allows him to spend a portion of his time serving these NCED associated, nonprofit companies.  In this capacity, he holds executive officer positions with Sahara Companies, and NCED Mental Health Center.  He holds Group I Health, Life, HMO, and AD&D, insurance licenses from the Texas Department of Insurance, and Series 6 & 63 Securities Broker/Dealer licenses.  He attended the University of Texas at El Paso from 1989 through 1993, majoring in business administration.  Mr. Apodaca serves as a Director of NCED/Sahara Companies, NCED Mental Health Center, and Physicians Healthcare Management, Inc., all privately-held companies.

 

Eliseo Ruiz III serves as our Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary.  He has been with us since December 2003.  Mr. Ruiz has been a practicing attorney since November 1991.  He most recently was Vice President and General Counsel of CyberBills, Inc. (and its successor entity) in San Jose, California from 1999 thru 2002.  He also served as Associate General Counsel at Concentra, Inc. from 1998 thru 1999 and was in private practice from 1991 thru 1997.  He holds an undergraduate degree (Plan II) and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.  He is a member of the State Bar of Texas.

 

Coleman Orr  serves as the President of our Care Entrée division. He has been with us since February 2, 2005.  Mr. Orr previously served as President of Main Street Financial Group, a privately held financial services company in Destin, Florida, from 1999 to 2005.  From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Orr was employed by World Marketing Alliance, a privately-held financial services firm.  Mr. Orr served United States Army as an Airborne Ranger and member of the U.S. Army Sky Diving Team before starting his career in 1970 with the Amway Corporation.  Mr. Orr is also an accomplished motivational speaker, appearing at seminars around the country.  He holds his Series 6, 63 and 65 licenses, is designated as a Registered Investment Advisor with the NASD and is licensed in insurance, variable annuities and variable life.

 

Kent H. Webb, M.D., a founder of Precis, has served as one of our Directors since June 1996 (and Medical Director since August 2001). He served as Chairman of our Board of Directors until December 2000 and was a member or general partner of our predecessors Advantage Data Systems, Ltd. and Medicard Plus—ADS Limited Partnership. Dr. Webb is a general and vascular surgeon and is the cofounder and a director of Surgical Hospital of Oklahoma. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and serves as a Clinical Professor for the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Webb is a past director of the Smart Card Industry Association, a nonprofit association. He is a surgical consultant for the Ethicon Division of Johnson & Johnson Company, a publicly-held pharmaceutical and consumer products company. Dr. Webb was graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and completed his residency in General and Vascular Surgery at the University of Oklahoma Health Services Center.

 

Eugene E. Becker became one of our directors in August 2002. He is President of Eugene Becker & Associates, Inc., a privately-held marketing and consulting company. Mr. Becker served as the Chief Executive Officer of Aon Financial Partnerships during May to September 2000. During 1983 to 1999, Mr. Becker served as Chief Marketing Officer of American Bankers Insurance Group (during 1991 to 1999), Chief Executive Officer, and President and Chairman of the Board of American Bankers Insurance Company, American Bankers Life Assurance Company, Voyager Insurance Group, American Reliable Insurance Company and Banker American Life Assurance Company (during 1988 to 1999). Mr. Becker currently serves as a member of the board of directors for two companies: Signal Holdings Inc. and Pacific Specialty Insurance Company. Mr. Becker received a B.A. from Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University), and a M.B.A. from the University of Miami.

 

J. French Hill joined the board of directors in January 2003. In 1999, Mr. Hill founded Delta Trust & Banking Corp., a privately held banking, trust and investment brokerage company headquartered in Little Rock, AR, following a six year career with Arkansas’ largest publicly traded holding company, First Commercial Corp. First Commercial was sold in 1998 to Regions Financial Corp. (RF). As an executive officer of First Commercial, Mr. Hill was chairman of the bank holding company’s trust division and its investment brokerage dealer subsidiary from 1995 until 1998. He also oversaw a number of other staff functions in the company from 1993 through 1998 including human resources, executive compensation, bank compliance, credit review and strategic planning. During the last five years he has served as a member of the board of directors of these companies: Delta Trust & Banking Corp. and its affiliates (1999 to present); Research Solutions LLC, a privately held company in the clinical trials business (1999 to present), a privately held company in the aircraft lighting systems business; and Syair Designs LLC (2000-2003). From May 1989 through January 1993, Mr. Hill was a senior economic policy official in the George H. W. Bush Administration on the staff of the White House and as deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Treasury. Mr. Hill graduated magna cum laude in economics from Vanderbilt University.

 

Nicholas J. Zaffiris became one of our directors in August 2002. He is currently the Vice President of Sales and Account

 

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Management, West, at Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), a privately-held preferred provider organization, and is responsible for new sales and existing customer retention and grants for the Western region of the country. Mr. Zaffiris joined PHCS in early 1998, and has more than 10 years of healthcare experience, including client management, sales, marketing and customer service. Before joining PHCS, he worked for the National Account Service Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. Mr. Zaffiris received a B.S. in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy.

 

Kenneth S. George became one of our directors in June 2003. Mr. George recently finished two terms as a State Representative in the Texas House of Representatives. From 1996 until 2001, he was General Partner of Riverside Acquisitions L.L.C. and was active in commercial real estate, financial and land transactions. From 1994 through 1995, Mr. George was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ameristat, Inc., the largest private ambulance provider in the state of Texas. From 1988 until 1994, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EPIC Healthcare Group, an owner of 36 suburban/rural acute care hospitals with 15,000 employees and $1.4 billion in revenues. Mr. George has an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from Washington and Lee University.

 

Robert E. Jones became one of our directors in October 2004.  Mr. Jones has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Center for Employment of the Disabled (NCED) since 1994. NCED is a not for profit, manufacturing and service corporation. Since 1990, Mr. Jones has been managing Director of JW Investments, JFT Management and JW Properties. Each of these private companies specializes in the development and management of commercial and industrial properties. Mr. Jones holds a B.A. degree from the University of Houston.

 

BOARD COMMITTEES

 

Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for the selection and retention of our independent auditors, reviews the scope of the audit function of the independent auditors, and reviews audit reports rendered by the independent auditors. All of the members of the Audit Committee are all “independent directors” as defined in Rule 4200 of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. marketplace rules (the “Nasdaq rules”), and one member serves as the Audit Committee’s financial expert.

 

The Compensation Committee reviews our compensation philosophy and programs, and exercises authority with respect to payment of direct salaries and incentive compensation to our officers. A discussion of the Compensation Committee interlocks and insider participation is provided below under the section heading “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”.

 

The Governance and Nominating Committee (a) monitors and oversees matters of corporate governance, including the evaluation of Board performance and processes and the “independence” of directors, and (b) selects, evaluates and recommends to the Board qualified candidates for election or appointment to the Board

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

Our board of directors has determined that J. French Hill, one of our independent directors and member of our audit committee, qualifies as a “financial expert.” This determination was based upon Mr. Hill’s

 

              understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements;

 

              ability to assess the general application of generally accepted accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves;

 

              experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present the breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by our financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities;

 

              understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting; and

 

              understanding of audit committee functions.

 

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Mr. Hill’s experience and qualification as a financial expert were acquired through his extensive background in financial analysis, investment banking, finance and commercial banking. He has also participated in the preparation of financial statements and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mr. Hill also currently serves on two other audit committees (in one case, as an ex officio member) where he has oversight responsibility of the financial statements and works with the internal accountants and external auditors on audit and/or accounting matters.

 

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors, officers, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock or other registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

 

Based solely on our review of the copies of the forms we received covering purchase and sale transactions in our common stock during 2004, we believe that each person who, at any time during 2004, was a director, executive officer, or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our common stock complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements during 2004.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

On January 29, 2003, our board of directors adopted our code of ethics that applies to all of our employees and directors, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the portion of this code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions may be obtained by written request addressed to Eliseo Ruiz, III, Corporate Secretary, Precis, Inc., 2040 North Highway 360, Grand Prairie, Texas 75050.

 

Our code of ethics may be found on our website at www.precis-pcis.com. We will describe the nature of amendments to the code of ethics on our website, except that we may not describe amendments that are purely a technical, administrative, or otherwise non-substantive. We will also disclose on our website any waivers from any provision of the code of ethics that we may grant. Information about amendments and waivers to our code of ethics will be available on our website for at least twelve months, and thereafter, the information will be available upon request for five years.

 

The adoption of our code of ethics is consistent with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets forth the compensation during 2004, 2003 and 2002, paid or accrued, of our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and the four other most highly compensated executive officers, including the executive officers of our subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term
Compensation
Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Underlying

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Compensation(1)

 

Options

 

Name Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary(2)

 

Bonus(3)

 

Other(4)

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judith H. Henkels
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President(5)(7)

 

2004

 

$

246,385

 

$

30,000

 

$

10,497

 

10,000

 

2003

$

174,065

$

5,000

$

10,497

10,000

2002

$

160,000

$

50,000

Bobby R. Rhodes
Vice President of Provider Relations(6)(7)

 

2004

 

$

193,231

 

$

30,000

 

 

 

2003

$

112,156

$

37,790

$

2,000

10,000

2002

$

95,000

$

50,000

Terry Brewster (6)
Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing

 

2004

 

$

171,635

 

$

50,000

 

 

100,000

 

2003

2002

Frank Apodaca
Chief Operating Officer and President and CEO of subsidiary, Access HealthSource, Inc.

 

2004

 

$

129,808

 

 

$

60,800

 

100,000

 

2003

2002

Robert Bintliff
Chief Financial Officer

 

2004

 

$

59,538

 

 

$

2,580

 

100,000

 

2003

2002

Dino Eliopoulos(6)
Former Chief Financial Officer

 

2004

 

$

106,682

 

$

30,000

 

$

4,500

 

 

2003

$

141,029

$

5,000

$

3,000

110,000

2002

 

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(1)           The named executive officer received additional non-cash compensation, perquisites and other personal benefits; however, the aggregate amount and value thereof did not exceed 10% of the total annual salary and bonus paid to and accrued for the named executive officer during the year.

 

(2)           Dollar value of base salary (both cash and non-cash) earned during the year.

 

(3)           Dollar value of bonus (both cash and non-cash) earned during the year.

 

(4)           Includes amounts paid to or on behalf or the named executive as a car allowance and, for Mr. Apodaca’s compensation related to non-competition provisions in his employment agreement.

 

(5)           In February 2002, Ms. Henkels was appointed to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President. Ms. Henkels has served as our President since June 8, 2001.

 

(6)           Mr. Brewster’s employment by the Company was terminated as of April 5, 2005.  Mr. Rhodes’ employment by the Company was terminated as of March 3, 2005.  Mr. Eliopoulos terminated his employment with the Company as of July 23, 2004.

 

(7)           The base salaries of Ms. Henkels and Mr. Rhodes were increased in 2004 as a result of our entering into new employment agreements with each of them.  In entering the new employment agreements, Ms. Henkels and Mr. Rhodes agreed to terminate their prior employment agreements with the Company. In so doing, Ms. Henkels and Mr. Rhodes waived certain rights they may have had, under the prior agreements, to a portion of the Company’s earnings before interest and taxes.

 

OPTION GRANTS LAST YEAR

 

The following table sets forth certain information relating to options granted in 2004 to named executive officers to purchase shares of our common stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Potential Realizable

 

 

 

No. of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value at Assumed

 

 

 

Securities

 

% of Total

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Rates of Stock

 

 

 

Underlying

 

Options Granted

 

Exercise or

 

 

 

Price Appreciation for

 

 

 

Options/SARs

 

to Employees In

 

Base Price

 

Expiration

 

Option Term

 

Name

 

Granted(#)

 

Fiscal Year(1)

 

($/Sh)

 

Date

 

5%($)

 

10%($)

 

Judith Henkels

 

10,000

 

1.2

%

2.85

 

10/27/09

 

36,374

 

45,900

 

Terry Brewster (2)

 

100,000

 

11.8

%

3.88

 

3/23/09

 

495,197

 

624,878

 

Frank Apodaca

 

100,000

 

11.8

%

2.76

 

6/18/09

 

352,254

 

444,501

 

Robert Bintliff

 

100,000

 

11.8

%

2.99

 

2/28/09

 

381,608

 

481,542

 

Eliseo Ruiz III

 

100,000

 

11.8

%

3.88

 

3/23/09

 

495,197

 

624,878

 

 


(1)           Options for the issuance of a total of 845,500 shares of common stock were issued to employees in 2004.

 

(2)           Mr. Brewster’s employment by the Company was terminated as of April 5, 2005.

 

OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

 

No executive officer exercised options in 2004.

 

AGGREGATE STOCK OPTION EXERCISE AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES.  The following table sets forth information related to the number and value of options held by the named executive officer at December 31, 2004. During 2004, no options to purchase our common stock were exercised by the named executive officers.

 

 

 

 

Number of Unexercised
Options As Of
December 31, 2004

 

Value of Unexercised
In-The-Money
Options As Of
December 31, 2004(1)

 

Name

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Exercisable

 

Unexercisable

 

Judith H. Henkels

 

22,500

 

7,500

 

 

 

Robert Bintliff

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

Bobby Rhodes(2)

 

12,500

 

7,500

 

 

 

Terry Brewster (2)

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

Frank Apodaca

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

Eliseo Ruiz III

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 


(1)           The closing sale price of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on December 31, 2004 was $2.66. The per-share value is calculated based on the applicable closing sale price per share, minus the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares of common stock underlying the options.

 

(2)           Our employment of Mr. Brewster was terminated as of April 5, 2005.  Our employment of Mr. Rhodes was terminated as of March 3, 2005.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

 

1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN.  For the benefit of our employees, directors and consultants, we have adopted the Precis Smart Card Systems, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (the “stock option plan” or the “plan”). The plan provides for the issuance of options intended to qualify as incentive stock options for federal income tax purposes to our employees and non-employees, including employees who also serve as our directors. Qualification of the grant of options under the plan as incentive stock options for federal income tax purposes is not a condition of the grant and failure to so qualify does not affect the ability to exercise the stock options. The number of shares of common stock authorized and reserved for issuance under the plan is 1,400,000.

 

Our board of directors administers and interprets the plan (unless delegated to a committee) and has authority to grant options to all eligible participants and determine the types of options granted, the terms, restrictions and conditions of the options at the time of grant.

 

The exercise price of options may not be less than 85% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant of the option and to qualify as an incentive stock option may not be less than the fair market value of common stock on the date of the grant of the incentive stock option. Upon the exercise of an option, the exercise price must be paid in full, in cash, in our common stock (at the fair market value thereof) or a combination thereof.

 

Options qualifying as incentive stock options are exercisable only by an optionee during the period ending three months

 

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after the optionee ceases to be our employee, a director, or non-employee service provider. However, in the event of death or disability of the optionee, the incentive stock options are exercisable for one year following death or disability. In any event options may not be exercised beyond the expiration date of the options. Options may be granted to our key management employees, directors, key professional employees or key professional non-employee service providers, although options granted non-employee directors do not qualify as incentive stock options. No option may be granted after December 31, 2008. Options are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

All outstanding options granted under the plan will become fully vested and immediately exercisable if (i) within any 12-month period, we sell an amount of common stock that exceeds 50% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately before the 12-month period or (ii) a “change of control” occurs. For purposes of the plan, a “change of control” is defined as the acquisition in a transaction or series of transactions by any person, entity or group (two or more persons acting as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring our securities) of beneficial ownership of 50% or more (or less than 50% as determined by a majority of our directors) of either the then outstanding shares of our common stock or the combined voting power of our then outstanding voting securities.

 

2002 NON-EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN.  Effective May 31, 2002 our board of directors approved the Precis, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Stock Option Plan”) which was approved by our shareholders on July 29, 2002. Our employees who also serve as our directors are not eligible to receive stock option under this plan. The purpose of the 2002 Stock Option Plan is to strengthen our ability to attract and retain the services of individuals that serve as our non-employee directors, consultants and other advisors that are essential to our long-term growth and financial success and thereby to enhance shareholder value through the grant of stock options. The total number of shares of common stock authorized and reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under the 2002 Stock Option Plan is 500,000.

 

Our Board of Directors administers and interprets the 2002 Stock Option Plan and has authority to grant options to eligible recipients and determine the basis upon which the options are to be granted and the terms, restrictions and conditions of the options at the time of grant. Options granted are exercisable in such amounts, at such intervals and upon such terms as the option grant provides. The per share purchase price of the common stock under the options is determined by our board of directors; however, the purchase price may not be less than the closing sale price of our common stock on the date of grant of the option. Upon the exercise of an option, the stock purchase price must be paid in full, in cash by check or in our common stock held by the option holder for more than six months or a combination of cash and common stock.

 

Options granted under the 2002 Stock Option Plan may not under any circumstance be exercised after 10 years from the date of grant and no option may be granted after March 31, 2007. Options are not transferable except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, by gift or a domestic relations order to a “family member.” Family member transfers include transfers to parents (and in-laws), to nieces and nephews (adopted or otherwise) as well as trusts, foundations and other entities principally for their benefit.

 

2002 IMR STOCK OPTION PLAN.  Effective March 15, 2002 our board of directors approved the Precis, Inc. 2002 IMR Stock Option Plan (the “IMR Plan”) which was approved by our shareholders on July 29, 2002. The purpose of the IMR Plan is to strengthen our ability to attract and retain independent marketing representatives, to furnish additional incentive to our independent marketing representatives who are significantly responsible for our success, and thereby to enhance shareholder value. The IMR Plan provides for the grant of stock options to our independent marketing representatives. Our employees and directors are not eligible to participate in the IMR Plan. The total number of shares of common stock authorized and reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted under the IMR Plan is 500,000.

 

Our board of directors administers and interprets the IMR Plan and has the authority to grant options to all eligible independent marketing representatives, and determine the basis upon which the options are to be granted and the terms, restrictions and conditions of the options at the time of grant. Options granted under the IMR Plan are exercisable in such amounts, at such intervals and upon such terms as the option grant provides. The purchase price of the common stock under the option is determined by our board of directors; however, the purchase price may not be less than the lowest closing sale price of the common stock on the date of grant of the option or during a period of up to three months following grant of the option. Upon the exercise of an option, the stock purchase price must be paid in full.

 

Options granted under the IMR Plan may not under any circumstance be exercised after five years from the date of grant. Subject to the foregoing, options are exercisable only by independent marketing representatives who are in “good standing” at the time of exercise. To be in good standing, an independent marketing representative must

 

45



 

              be in active status at the time of grant and exercise of the option,

 

              maintain his or her membership in Care Entrée™ program and

 

              comply with our the policies and procedures and the terms and conditions of the independent marketing representative’s agreement with us.

 

Options are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

On January 29, 2003, our Board voted to discontinue, effective June 1, 2003, any future stock option grants under the 2002 IMR Stock Option Plan.

 

DIRECTOR LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

As permitted by the provisions of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, our Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the monetary liability of our directors for a breach of their fiduciary duty as directors. However, these provisions do not eliminate our director’s liability

 

              for a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders,

 

              for acts or omissions by a director not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,

 

              arising under Section 1053 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act relating to the declaration of dividends and purchase or redemption of shares in violation of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, or

 

              for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

In addition, these provisions do not eliminate liability of a director for violations of federal securities laws, nor do they limit our rights or our shareholders rights, in appropriate circumstances, to seek equitable remedies including injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief. These remedies may not be effective in all cases.

 

Our bylaws require us to indemnify all of our directors and officers. Under these provisions, when an individual in his or her capacity as an officer or a director is made or threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding, the individual may be indemnified if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interest. Our bylaws further provide that this indemnification is not exclusive of any other rights to which the individual may be entitled. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under our bylaws or otherwise may be permitted to our directors and officers, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission the indemnification is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

We enter into indemnity and contribution agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Under these indemnification agreements we have agreed to pay on behalf of the indemnitee, and his or her executors, administrators and heirs, any amount that he or she is or becomes legally obligated to pay because the

 

              indemnitee served as one of our directors or officers, or served as a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at our request or

 

              indemnitee was involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by us or in our right to procure a judgment in our favor by reason that the indemnitee served as one of our directors or officers, or served as a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at our request.

 

To be entitled to indemnification, indemnitee must have acted in good faith and in a manner that he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests. In addition, no indemnification is required if the indemnitee is determined to be liable to us unless the court in which the legal proceeding was brought determines that the indemnitee was entitled to indemnification. The costs and expenses covered by these agreements include expenses of investigations, judicial or

 

46



 

administrative proceedings or appeals, amounts paid in settlement, attorneys’ fees and disbursements, judgments, fines, penalties and expenses of enforcement of the indemnification rights.

 

We maintain insurance to protect our directors and officers against liability asserted against them in their official capacities for events occurring after June 7, 2001.  This insurance protection covers claims and any related defense costs of up to $5,000,000 with an additional excess of loss of $5,000,000 on excess of $5,000,000 and an additional excess of loss of $5,000,000 on excess of $10,000,000 based on alleged or actual securities law violations, other than intentional dishonest or fraudulent acts or omissions, or any willful violation of any statute, rule or law, or claims arising out of any improper profit, remuneration or advantage derived by an insured director or officer.

 

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND LACK OF KEYMAN INSURANCE

 

As of December 31, 2004, we had entered into employment agreements with each of Judith H. Henkels and Bobby Rhodes. Each agreement is for a three-year term beginning on August 1, 2003; however, the term is automatically extended for additional one-year terms, unless the employee or we give 30 days’ advance notice of termination. Additionally, an employment agreement was entered into with Frank Apodaca on June 18, 2004 for a three year term beginning on that date.  Additionally, an employment agreement was entered into with Robert Bintliff on November 1, 2004 for a three year term beginning on that date. These agreements provide, among other things,

 

              an annual base salary of $263,000 in 2004 for Ms. Henkels, $225,000 in 2004 for Mr. Apodaca, $180,000 in 2004 for Mr. Bintliff, and $200,000 in 2004 for Mr. Rhodes;

 

              entitlement to fringe benefits including medical and insurance benefits and participation in our 401(k) plan and MSA plan and any other benefit plan we establish; and

 

              limited salary continuation during any period of temporary or permanent disability, illness or incapacity to substantially perform the services required under the agreement or in the event of employee’s death.

 

These agreements require the employee to devote the required time and attention to our business and affairs necessary to carry out her or his responsibilities and duties. The employee may not hold executive positions with other entities or own interests in, manage or otherwise operate other businesses; provided however that Mr. Apodaca may spend up to 20% of his time attending to his duties as an executive officer or a director of certain nonprofit entities.

 

Under all of these agreements, “good cause” includes commitment of a felony (excepting any felony traffic offense) or any crime directly related to the employment which causes a substantial detriment to us, actions contrary to our best interest, willful failure to take actions permitted by law and necessary to implement our written policies, continued failure or refusal to attend to duties, or willful misconduct materially injurious to the Company or its subsidiaries.

 

In entering the employment agreements referenced above, Ms. Henkels and Mr. Rhodes agreed to terminate their prior employment agreements with the Company. In so doing, Ms. Henkels and Mr. Rhodes waived certain rights they may have had, under the prior agreements, to a portion of the Company’s earnings before interest and taxes.

 

Mr. Rhodes’ employment by the Company was terminated as of March 3, 2005.

 

As of the date of this report, we do not maintain any keyman insurance on the life or disability of our executive officers. We will consider on a periodic basis whether we will be required to maintain keyman insurance.

 

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

 

We compensate our directors as follows:

 

              Each non-employee member of the board receives a quarterly payment of $4,000.

 

              In addition, each non-employee member of the board received $500 per quarter for each committee on which he or she serves and an additional $500 per quarter for each committee for which he or she serves as chairperson.

 

47



 

              We reimburse our directors for travel and out of pocket expenses in connection with their attendance at meetings of the board.

 

              We may occasionally grant stock options to our board members.

 

The quarterly payments referenced above began in the third quarter of 2003. In 2004, the following directors received compensation in the following aggregate amounts:

 

Eugene E. Becker

 

$

22,500

 

Kenneth S. George

 

$

20,000

 

J. French Hill

 

$

20,000

 

Kent H. Webb

 

$

22,500

 

Nicholas J. Zaffiris

 

$

19,500

 

 

Except for the stock option grant describe below, Robert E. Jones has waived all rights to compensation for his service as a member of the board.

 

In 2004, the following board members received grants of stock options to purchase shares of our common stock. Except as indicated, all the stock options were exercisable on the date granted.

 

              On October 27, 2004, Judith H. Henkels was granted stock options exercisable for the purchase of 10,000 shares at $2.85 per share. These options become exercisable on April 27, 2005.

 

              On October 27, 2004, each of J. French Hill, Kenneth S. George, Eugene. Becker and Nicholas J. Zaffiris was granted stock options exercisable for the purchase of 10,000 shares at $2.59 per share.  The options were immediately exercisable.

 

              On October 27, 2004, Kent Webb was granted stock options exercisable for the purchase of 22,000 shares at $2.59 per share.  The options were immediately exercisable.

 

              On June 18, 2004, Robert E. Jones was granted stock options exercisable for the purchase of 100,000 shares at $2.76 per share.  The options were immediately exercisable.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

 

Judith Henkels serves as our President and CEO . She also serves on the Board of Directors and on the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Except for Ms. Henkels, none of our officers or employees participates in deliberations of the Compensation Committee. Ms. Henkels does not participate in deliberations or on votes regarding her compensation.  The Board of Directors has determined that it is appropriate for Ms. Henkels and Mr. Jones, as non-independent Directors, to serve on the Compensation Committee because of their direct insight into the performance of our executive management team.  The majority of the committee is comprised of independent Directors.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The following table presents, as of March 25, 2005, information related to the beneficial ownership of our common stock of (i) each person who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock, (ii) each of our directors and executive officers, and (iii) all of our executive officers and directors as a group, together with their percentage holdings of the outstanding shares. All persons listed have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares unless otherwise indicated, and there are no family relationships amongst our executive officers and directors. For purposes of the following table, the number of shares and percent of ownership of our outstanding common stock that the named person beneficially owns includes shares of our common stock that the person has the right to acquire within 60 days of the above-mentioned date pursuant to the exercise of stock options and warrants, and are deemed to be outstanding, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of computing the number of shares beneficially owned and percent of outstanding common stock of any other named person.

 

48



 

 

 

As of March 15, 2005

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)

 

Percent of
Outstanding
Shares(1)(2)

 

Judith H. Henkels and Leland S. Chaffin, Jr.(3)

 

3,473,447

 

28.9

%

Kent H. Webb, M.D.(4)

 

187,019

 

1.6

%

Kenneth S. George(5)

 

45,000

 

*

 

Eugene E. Becker(6)

 

45,000

 

*

 

Nicholas J. Zaffiris(6)

 

45,000

 

*

 

J. French Hill(6)

 

47,000

 

*

 

Robert Jones(7)

 

100,000

 

*

 

Frank Apodaca (8)

 

48,849

 

*

 

Robert Bintliff(9)

 

 

*

 

Eliseo Ruiz III(10)

 

25,000

 

*

 

Terry Brewster(11)

 

25,000

 

*

 

Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (eleven persons)(11)

 

4,041,315

 

33.6

%

 


*

 

Less than 1%.

 

 

 

(1)

 

Shares not outstanding but deemed beneficially owned by virtue of the right of the named person to acquire the shares within 60 days of March 15, 2004 are treated as outstanding for determining the amount and percentage of common stock owned by the person. Based upon our knowledge, each named person has sole voting and sole investment power with respect to the shares shown except as noted, subject to community property laws, where applicable. Except as noted, all options are exercisable as of March 15, 2004.

 

 

 

(2)

 

The percentage shown was rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent, based upon 12,011,843 shares of common stock being outstanding.

 

 

 

(3)

 

Judith H. Henkels and Leland S. Chaffin, Jr. are married and reside in Texas, a community property state. Ms. Henkels is our Chief Executive Officer and President and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Ms. Henkels and Mr. Chaffin are deemed to beneficially own the same number of beneficially owned shares. The beneficially owned shares and percentage of outstanding shares include (i) 2,995,000 shares of common stock owned by Ms. Henkels, (ii) 371,009 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Chaffin, (iii) 30,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options held by Ms. Henkels, and (iv) 77,438 shares owned by Ms. Henkels but held in a special purpose account and allocated for purchase by the Company’s independent marketing representatives.

 

 

 

(4)

 

Dr. Webb is one of our directors. The beneficially owned shares and the percentage of outstanding shares include 103,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.

 

 

 

(5)

 

Mr. George is one of our Directors. The beneficially owned shares and the percentage of outstanding shares include 35,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.

 

 

 

(6)

 

The named person is one of our directors. The beneficially owned shares and percentage of outstanding shares include 45,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options held by the named person.

 

 

 

(7)

 

Mr. Jones is one of our Directors. The beneficially owned shares and the percentage of outstanding shares include 100,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options.

 

 

 

(8)

 

Mr. Apodaca is our Chief Operating Officer and President and C.E.O. of our subsidiary, Access HealthSource, Inc. He holds options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock, but no such options are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2005. The options become exercisable in increments of 25,000 shares beginning on June 18, 2005. Pursuant to an agreement with National Center for Employment of the Disabled (“NCED”), Mr. Apodaca is entitled to and is the beneficial owner of 48,849 shares of our common stock, the number reported above as being beneficially owned by him. NCED if the party from whom we bought Access HealthSource, Inc. (“Access”) in June 2004. Mr. Apodaca’s agreement with NCED predates our acquisition of Access and entitles him

 

49



 

 

 

to 10% of the proceeds of any sale of Access. The number of shares he beneficially owns as of the date of this report is 10% of the number of our shares currently issued and held by NCED as consideration for the acquisition.

 

 

 

(9)

 

Mr. Bintliff is our Chief Financial Officer. He holds options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock, but no such options are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2005. The options become exercisable in increments of 25,000 shares beginning on August 1, 2005.

 

 

 

(10)

 

Mr. Ruiz is our Vice President and General Counsel. The beneficially owned shares and percentage of outstanding shares include 25,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. Mr. Ruiz holds additional options to purchase 75,000 common stock shares that are not exercisable and will not be exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2005.

 

 

 

(11)

 

Mr. Brewster was our Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing through April 5, 2005. The beneficially owned shares and percentage of outstanding shares include 25,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options. Mr. Brewster’s options will terminate ninety (90) days after his last day of employment by the Company.

 

 

 

(12)

 

The beneficially owned shares and the percentage of outstanding shares include the shares beneficially owned by each of our executive officers and directors as described in footnotes (3) through (11).

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Contained below is a description of transactions and proposed transactions we entered into with our officers, directors and shareholders that beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock during 2004 and 2003. These transactions will continue in effect and may result in conflicts of interest between us and these individuals. Although our officers and directors have fiduciary duties to us and our shareholders, there can be no assurance that conflicts of interest will always be resolved in favor of us and our shareholders.

 

FORESIGHT, INC. MERGER-ACQUISITION.  On December 7, 2000, we completed the merger-acquisition of Foresight, Inc.. In completion of this merger-acquisition, we issued 500,000 shares of our common stock and 166,667 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock to Paul A. Kruger and Mark R. Kidd in exchange for the outstanding capital stock of Foresight, Inc. Mr. Kruger is our former C.E.O. and Mr. Kidd is our former C.F.O. Further, at closing of the merger-acquisition of Capella Group, we issued and delivered 1,250,000 shares of our common stock to Messrs. Kruger and Kidd and agreed to issue one share of our common stock for each $1.00 that our consolidated income before tax expense (as adjusted) for 2001 exceeds $1,750,000, assuming the merger-acquisition of Capella Group was completed on January 1, 2001. Messrs. Kruger and Kidd were issued 2,065,202 shares of our common stock on February 7, 2002. In addition, we granted Barron Chase Securities, Inc. stock options exercisable for the purchase on or before June 30, 2003 of 200,000 shares of our common stock for $9.37 per share. These options were granted for the investment banking financial services and consulting advice provided by Barron Chase Securities in valuing and structuring the merger. These offerings were made pursuant to the applicable registration exemptions of Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, and applicable state securities laws. There were no sales commissions or other fees paid in connection with the merger-acquisition, other than granting of the stock options.

 

THE CAPELLA GROUP, INC. MERGER-ACQUISITION.  On June 8, 2001, we completed the merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc. In completion of this merger-acquisition, we issued 2,775,000 shares of our common stock to the shareholders of The Capella Group, Inc. in exchange for the outstanding capital stock of The Capella Group, Inc. In addition, we agreed to issue and deliver to the former of shareholders of Capella Group one share of our common stock for each dollar of Capella Group’s income before tax expense (increased by certain adjustments) during 2001, assuming the merger-acquisition was completed on January 1, 2001, in excess of $1,275,000. The former shareholders of The Capella Group were issued 2,735,085 shares of common stock on February 7, 2002. This offering was made pursuant to the applicable registration exemptions of Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, and applicable state securities laws. As part of the merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc., two of our directors, Messrs. John Simonelli and Larry E. Howell were paid consulting fees of $190,335 each for their assistance and consulting services. There were no sales commissions or other fees paid in connection with the merger-acquisition.

 

FRANK APODACA’S RELATIONSHIP WITH NCED.  On June 18, 2004, we are acquired Access HealthSource, Inc. (“Access”).  Frank Apodaca was President and C.E.O. of Access and retained that position after the acquisition.  In October 2004, we named Mr. Apodaca an Executive Vice President of the Company and in February 2005, we named him our Chief

 

50



 

Operating Officer.  We purchased Access from its sole shareholder, National Center for Employment of the Disabled (“NCED”).  In addition to the purchase price consideration we paid NCED for Access, there is a contingency payout should the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of Access reach certain amounts after the closing of the transaction and before December 31, 2006.  Prior to our acquisition of Access, Mr. Apodaca entered into an agreement with NCED whereby Mr. Apodaca would receive 10% of any consideration received by NCED for the sale of Access companies.  Accordingly, Mr. Apodaca was due from NCED at the time of our acquisition of Access, 10% of the closing consideration and is due from NCED 10% of any additional consideration paid to NCED as a contingency payout.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The aggregate fees for professional services rendered to us for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:

 

Audit Fees.  During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, we were billed $230,550 and $107,500 to BDO Seidman, LLP for audit services.

 

Audit Related Fees.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, we incurred audit related fees of $15,800 related primarily to reviews of SEC filings.

 

Tax Fees.  During the years ended December 31, 2004, and 2003 we were billed $22,522 and $36,950 by BDO Seidman, LLP and, for tax services. During the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, tax services included fees for tax compliance and consulting services related to our annual federal and state tax returns.

 

All Other Fees.  During the year ended December 31, 2004, we incurred other fees of $2,500 in connection with a proposed acquisition.

 

In accordance with our Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee approves in advance any and all audit services, including audit engagement fees and terms, and non-audit services provided to us by our independent auditors (subject to the de minimus exception for non-audit services contained in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), all as required by applicable law or listing standards. The independent auditors and our management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee the extent of services provided by the independent auditors and the fees associated with these services.

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)           The following documents are filed as a part of this Form 10-K

 

(1)           Index and Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(2)           Financial Statement Schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of this form

 

None

 

All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable.

 

(b)           Exhibits

 

51



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

3.1

 

Registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on July 31, 2001.

3.2

 

Registrant’s Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 14, 2003.

4.1

 

Form of certificate of the common stock of Registrant is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of Amendment to Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as filed with the Commission on July 31, 2001.

4.2

 

Form of Underwriter’s Warrant and Warrant Certificate, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Registrant’s Form SB-2 Registration Statement (No. 333-86643).

10.1

 

Precis, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (amended and restated), incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on June 23, 2003.

10.2

 

Precis, Inc. 2002 Non-Employee Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on June 26, 2002.

10.3

 

Precis, Inc. 2002 IMR Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on June 26, 2002.

10.1

 

The Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated March 21, 2000, amongst Registrant, Precis— Foresight Acquisition, Inc., Foresight, Inc., Paul A. Kruger and Mark R. Kidd, incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on October 13, 2000.

10.2

 

The First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 22, 2000, amongst Registrant, Precis-Foresight Acquisition, Inc., Foresight, Inc., Paul A. Kruger and Mark R. Kidd, incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on October 13, 2000.

10.3

 

The Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 23, 2000, amongst Registrant, Precis-Foresight Acquisition, Inc., Foresight, Inc., Paul A. Kruger and Mark R. Kidd, incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on October 13, 2000.

10.4

 

Form of Indemnity and Contribution Agreement between Registrant and each of its executive officers and directors, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 13, 2003.

10.5

 

The Commercial Lease Agreement, dated November 8, 2001, between The Capella Group, Inc. and Assem Family Limited Partnership (Appendices and Exhibits will be provided Registrant upon request), incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on June 6, 2002.

10.6

 

Employment Agreements dated August 1, 2003, between registrant and Judith Henkels, Dino Eliopoulos, and Bobby Rhodes, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.2, 10.3, and 10.4 at registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 13, 2003

10.7

 

Employment Agreement dated August 1, 2004, between registrant and Robert Bintliff.

10.8

 

Employment Agreement dated June 18, 2004, between registrant and Frank Apodaca, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 at registrants Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 21, 2004.

10.9

 

Summary of Terms of Employment of Executive Officers: Coleman Orr and Eliseo Ruiz III

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-Murrell, Hall, McIntosh & Company, PLLP.

23.2

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-BDO Seidman, LLP.

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Judith H. Henkels as Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Robert Bintliff as Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of Judith H. Henkels as Chief Executive Officer.

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of Robert Bintliff as Chief Financial Officer.

 

52



 

SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant caused this amended report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

PRECIS, INC.
(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ JUDITH H. HENKELS

 

Date: April 15, 2005

 

 

Judith H. Henkels
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ ROBERT BINTLIFF

 

Date: April 15, 2005

 

 

Robert Bintliff
Chief Financial Officer

 

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ JUDITH H. HENKELS

 

 

 

 

Judith H. Henkels

 

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

April 15, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ EUGENE E. BECKER

 

 

 

 

Eugene E. Becker

 

Director

 

April 15, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ J. FRENCH HILL

 

 

 

 

J. French Hill

 

Director

 

April 15, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ROBERT JONES

 

 

 

 

Robert Jones

 

Director

 

April 15, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ KENT H. WEBB

 

 

 

 

Kent H. Webb

 

Director

 

April 15, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ NICHOLAS J. ZAFFIRIS

 

 

 

 

Nicholas J. Zaffiris

 

Director

 

April 15, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ KENNETH S. GEORGE

 

 

 

 

Kenneth S. George

 

Director

 

April 15, 2005

 

53



 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

F-1



 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Precis, Inc.

Grand Prairie, Texas

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Precis, Inc. as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2004.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Precis, Inc. at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

(Signed BDO Seidman, LLP)

 

Dallas, Texas

April 11, 2005

 

F-2



 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

of Precis, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows Precis, Inc. (an Oklahoma Corporation) and subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2002. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2002 of Precis, Inc. and subsidiaries, in  conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

/s/ MURRELL, HALL, MCINTOSH & CO., PLLP

 

 

 

Norman, Oklahoma

January 31, 2003

 

F-3



 

PRECIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash-in-trust

 

$

4,921,626

 

$

2,768,447

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

8,282,953

 

11,087,920

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

312,056

 

620,026

 

Income taxes receivable

 

979,851

 

120,642

 

Notes receivable, net

 

 

467,904

 

Inventory

 

174,439

 

175,735

 

Prepaid expenses

 

547,055

 

377,015

 

Total current assets

 

15,217,980

 

15,617,689

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

 

1,988,755

 

3,324,410

 

Goodwill

 

21,381,316

 

21,077,284

 

Other intangible assets

 

1,400,000

 

 

Deferred tax asset

 

1,801,368

 

760,681

 

Other assets

 

185,197

 

33,600

 

Total assets

 

$

41,974,616

 

$

40,813,664

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

470,261

 

$

387,824

 

Accrued commissions

 

730,965

 

1,116,086

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

1,573,082

 

732,321

 

Franchise taxes payable

 

509,220

 

236,022

 

Members’ liabilities

 

4,921,626

 

2,768,447

 

Deferred fees

 

153,651

 

171,156

 

Current portion of capital leases

 

514,221

 

1,387,010

 

Total current liabilities

 

8,873,026

 

6,798,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

77,265

 

275,422

 

Deferred income taxes

 

655,272

 

137,272

 

Total liabilities

 

9,605,563

 

7,211,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 12,335,766 and 11,872,147 issued, respectively, and 12,079,820 and 11,872,147 outstanding, respectively

 

123,358

 

118,722

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

27,220,697

 

25,820,895

 

Accumulated earnings

 

5,706,535

 

7,662,487

 

Less: treasury stock (255,946 shares in 2004)

 

(681,537

)

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

32,369,053

 

33,602,104

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

41,974,616

 

$

40,813,664

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-4



 

PRECIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product and service revenues

 

$

38,318,696

 

$

42,087,671

 

$

43,115,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of operations

 

15,101,700

 

13,125,851

 

11,543,406

 

Sales and marketing

 

10,931,392

 

15,572,188

 

17,059,248

 

General and administrative

 

12,919,579

 

6,739,271

 

6,095,360

 

Impairment charge for goodwill

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

40,952,671

 

35,437,310

 

34,698,014

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(2,633,975

)

6,650,361

 

8,417,652

 

Other expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

56,558

 

149,969

 

64,437

 

Total other expense

 

56,558

 

149,969

 

64,437

 

Net (loss) earnings before taxes

 

(2,690,533

)

6,500,392

 

8,353,215

 

Provision for income taxes (benefit) expense

 

(734,581

)

2,411,066

 

2,874,852

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

(1,955,952

)

4,089,326

 

5,478,363

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

14,137

 

Net (loss) earnings applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,464,226

 

(Loss) earnings per share :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.35

 

$

0.46

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.34

 

$

0.46

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

11,921,946

 

11,848,789

 

11,790,650

 

Diluted

 

11,921,946

 

11,924,214

 

11,996,222

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-5



 

PRECIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCK

 

COMMON STOCK

 

PAID-IN

 

TREASURY

 

EARNINGS

 

 

 

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

CAPITAL

 

STOCK

 

(DEFICIT)

 

Balance, December 31, 2001

 

83,333

 

$

1,000,000

 

11,696,287

 

$

116,963

 

$

25,181,297

 

 

$

(1,891,065

)

Stock options and warrants exercised, net of tax

 

 

 

155,260

 

1,553

 

608,698

 

 

 

Redemption of preferred stock

 

(83,333

)

(1,000,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,137

)

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,478,363

 

Balance, December 31, 2002

 

 

 

11,851,547

 

118,516

 

25,789,995

 

 

3,573,161

 

Stock option and warrants exercised, net of tax

 

 

 

20,600

 

206

 

30,900

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,089,326

 

Balance, December 31, 2003

 

 

 

11,872,147

 

118,722

 

25,820,895

 

 

7,662,487

 

Stock option and warrants exercised, net of tax

 

 

 

1,250

 

12

 

4,426

 

 

 

Issuance of stock in business combinations

 

 

 

488,486

 

4,885

 

1,395,115

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

(26,117

)

(261

)

261

 

 

 

Purchase of 255,946 shares of treasury stock at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

(681,537

)

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,955,952

)

Balance, December 31, 2004

 

 

 

12,335,766

 

$

123,358

 

$

27,220,697

 

$

(681,537

)

$

5,706,535

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-6



 

PRECIS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,478,363

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,322,891

 

2,061,910

 

940,116

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

175,510

 

 

 

Write-off of doubtful accounts receivable

 

612,253

 

(204,786

)

 

Write-off of doubtful notes

 

400,000

 

 

 

Impairment of goodwill

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(1,040,687

)

118,891

 

(7,000

)

Changes in assets and liabilities (net of business acquired):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(276,668

)

1,187,128

 

(686,402

)

Income taxes receivable

 

(859,209

)

975,245

 

(15,645

)

Notes receivable

 

67,904

 

(267,069

)

(200,835

)

Inventory

 

1,295

 

60,814

 

(62,515

)

Prepaid expenses

 

(97,009

)

(51,314

)

(179,474

)

Other current assets

 

 

25,000

 

(25,000

)

Other assets

 

(138,596

)

(2,775

)

115,419

 

Accounts payable

 

47,722

 

250,926

 

(194,432

)

Accrued liabilities

 

243,477

 

(23,838

)

(203,074

)

Deferred fees

 

(17,505

)

(567,158

)

(83,762

)

Income taxes payable

 

273,198

 

166,585

 

(886,213

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,758,624

 

7,818,885

 

3,989,546

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in business combination

 

(1,858,736

)

 

 

Purchase of fixed assets

 

(736,321

)

(945,344

)

(920,408

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,595,057

)

(945,344

)

(920,408

)

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of capital leases

 

(1,291,435

)

(1,428,530

)

(809,091

)

Redemption of preferred stock

 

 

 

(1,000,000

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(681,537

)

 

 

Payment of preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

(14,137

)

Exercise of stock options and warrants

 

4,438

 

31,106

 

610,251

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,968,534

)

(1,397,424

)

(1,212,977

)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(2,804,967

)

5,476,117

 

1,856,161

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

11,087,920

 

5,611,803

 

3,755,642

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

8,282,953

 

$

11,087,920

 

$

5,611,803

 

Supplemental disclosure:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

1,106,048

 

$

2,277,005

 

$

2,852,252

 

Interest paid

 

$

90,789

 

$

149,969

 

$

63,416

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business combination purchase price adjustment due to income tax benefit on stock issuance

 

 

 

$

982,236

 

Acquisition of fixed assets through issuance of capital leases, net of retirements

 

$

185,813

 

$

(504,152

)

$

2,760,638

 

Issuance of stock in business combination

 

$

1,400,000

 

 

 

Cash-in-trust collected

 

$

2,153,179

 

$

2,660,295

 

$

108,152

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-7



 

PRECIS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1—Nature of Business

 

Precis, Inc. (the “Company”) is a provider of innovative healthcare and other membership service programs. The Company offers savings on healthcare services throughout the United States to persons who are under-insured. These savings are offered by accessing the same preferred provider organizations (PPOs) that are utilized by many insurance companies. These programs are sold primarily through a network marketing strategy under the name Care Entrée™. The Company also addresses the needs of organizations seeking to leverage the expertise of an outside provider in offering membership service programs. Membership service programs offer selected products and services from a variety of vendors intended to enhance the existing relationships between businesses and consumers.

 

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION—The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Capella Group, Inc., Foresight, Inc., Care Financial, LLC (formerly Smart Care Insurance Agency LLC) and Access HealthSource Inc. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current presentation of the financial statements.

 

USE OF ESTIMATES—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

REVENUE RECOGNITION—

 

Healthcare Membership Revenues.  The Company recognizes membership revenues, other than initial enrollment fees,  on each monthly anniversary date. Membership revenues are reduced by the amount of refunds estimated to be incurred. Member initial enrollment fees, net of direct costs, are deferred and amortized over the estimated membership period, which averages eight to ten months. Independent marketing representative fees, net of direct costs, are deferred and amortized over the term of the contract.

 

Access Third Party Administration. Access recognizes revenue based upon the individual contract arrangements that it has with each of its’ clients, ie., when the contractual obligations are satisfied.

 

Rental Purchase and Club Membership Revenues.  Rental purchase and club membership revenues are recognized in the month that the Company’s products and services have been delivered to its clients. The Company sells rental purchase and club membership programs on a wholesale basis to its clients.

 

COMMISSION EXPENSE—Commissions are paid to the Company’s independent marketing representatives in the month following the month in which a member has enrolled in the Care Entrée™ program. Commissions are only paid in the following month when the related membership fees have been received by the Company. The Company does not pay advanced commissions on membership sales.

 

CASH-IN-TRUST—Cash-in-trust consists of cash and cash equivalents held on behalf of members who have escrowed funds with the Company. These funds are owned by the members and are presented in the Company’s balance sheet as an asset under the description “cash-in-trust” and as a liability under the description “members’ liabilities”.

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit or cash investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less.

 

TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND NOTES RECEIVABLE—Accounts receivable and notes receivable represent amounts due from private label partners who market the Company’s Care Entrée product and bill the members directly. The Company does not charge interest on any of its outstanding trade accounts receivable. The Company does charge an immaterial amount of interest, at a negotiated rate, on its notes receivable. If there is any doubt about the collectibility of a note, the Company ceases to accrue interest on that note. The Company reviews accounts receivable and notes receivable on a monthly

 

F-8



 

basis to determine if any receivables will potentially be uncollectible. The Company includes any accounts receivable and notes receivable balances that are determined to be uncollectible, along with a general reserve, in our overall allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance. Based on the information available to the Company, the Company believes its allowances for both doubtful accounts and notes receivable as of December 31, 2004 are adequate. However, actual write-offs might exceed the recorded allowance.

 

The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was $219,347 and $204,786 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

FIXED ASSETS—Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets for financial reporting purposes and principally on accelerated methods for tax purposes. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures that extend the physical or economic life of property and equipment are capitalized. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:

 

Furniture and Fixtures

7 years

Leasehold Improvements

Over the term of the lease, or useful life, whichever is shorter

Computers and Office Equipment

3-5 years

Software

3 years

Automobiles

5 years

 

The Company periodically reviews property and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable or their depreciation or amortization periods should be accelerated. When any such impairment exists, the related assets will be written down to their fair value.

 

The Company capitalizes both internal and external costs of developing or obtaining computer software for internal use. Costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the application development stage are capitalized, while data conversion, training and maintenance costs associated with internal-use software are expensed as incurred. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the net book value of capitalized software costs was $699,935 and $661,655, respectively. Amortization expense related to capitalized software was $189,832, $143,038 and $28,489 in fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. At October 1, 2004, the Company adjusted the estimated useful life for certain of its internal-use software to a period ending June 30, 2005. Depreciation expense was adjusted from that date in October 2004 forward, increasing depreciation expense in 2004 by $150,000.

 

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS—Other intangible assets consist of customer contracts and are amortized over their estimated life, including the initial contract term and probable extensions. As circumstances change, the estimated life is re-evaluated or potential impairment is assessed.

 

GOODWILL—Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but it is reviewed on an annual basis in order to determine if impairment exists. Where necessary, an impairment charge is recorded to reflect its revised assessment that, based upon current and projected revenues and earnings, the estimated fair value of the reporting entity’s goodwill did not exceed the carrying value of that entity’s tangible assets.  During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company’s goodwill was decreased to reflect the recognition of an income tax benefit of $982,236 which relates to the Company’s 2001 merger-acquisition of The Capella Group, Inc.

 

INCOME TAXES—Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes related primarily to differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting. The net deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled.

 

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE—Basic net earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding for the year.  For the year ended December 31, 2004, 54,863 shares related to outstanding stock options were not included in the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share because the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

F-9



 

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK—The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant risk.  The Company attempts to mitigate this risk by transferring balances not immediately needed into accounts secured with pledged U.S. government securities of short maturity.

 

The Company’s customers are not concentrated in any specific geographic region or industry. No single customer accounted for a significant amount of the Company’s sales and there were no significant accounts receivable from a single customer. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.

 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS—The recorded amounts of cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, income taxes receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, income taxes payable and capital lease obligations approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these items.

 

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION— In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) 123 (Revised 2004), “Shared-Based Payment”, which replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” (“SFAS 123”) and supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”  Revised SFAS 123 addresses the requirements that an entity measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost of such award will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. The Company will be required to adopt this Statement during the third quarter of fiscal 2005, beginning July 1, 2005.

 

As permitted by SFAS 123, the Company currently accounts for share-based payments by applying the accounting provisions of APB 25’s intrinsic value method and, since options issued had no such intrinsic value, the Company generally recognizes no compensation cost for employee stock options. The adoption of Revised SFAS 123’s fair value method is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations, and it will have no added impact on its overall financial position. The impact of adoption of Revised Statement 123 cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on level of share-based payments granted in the future. However, had the Company adopted Revised SFAS 123 in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro-forma net income and earnings per share below.

 

As stated above, the Company applies APB25  and its related interpretations in accounting for its stock option plan. Compensation for services that a corporation receives under APB 25 through stock-based compensation plans should be measured by the quoted market price of the stock at the measurement date less the amount, if any, that the individual is required to pay. No compensation expense was recorded during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 related to its stock option plans under APB 25. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation based on the fair value of the options granted at the grant date as prescribed by “Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, (“SFAS 123”) Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, net earnings and net earnings per share would have decreased to the pro forma amounts shown below for the years ended December 31,:

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Net (loss) earnings applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,464,226

 

Deduct: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

(315,583

)

(226,393

)

(334,078

)

Pro forma net (loss) earnings

 

$

(2,271,535

)

$

3,862,933

 

$

5,130,148

 

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic—as reported

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.35

 

$

0.46

 

Basic—pro-forma

 

$

(0.19

)

$

0.33

 

$

0.43

 

Diluted—as reported

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.34

 

$

0.46

 

Diluted—pro-forma

 

$

(0.19

)

$

0.32

 

$

0.43

 

 

F-10



 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, 54,863 shares related to outstanding stock options were not included in the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share because the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants in 2004, 2003 and 2002:

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Risk free interest rate

 

3.94

%

4.90

%

3.74

%

Volatility rate

 

48

%

40

%

40

%

Dividend yield

 

None

 

None

 

None

 

Option expected lives

 

5 yrs

 

5yrs

 

5 & 10 yrs

 

 

The intent of the Black-Scholes option valuation model is to provide estimates of fair values of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Option valuation models require the use of highly subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility. The Company has utilized the Black-Scholes method to produce the pro forma disclosures required under SFAS 123. In management’s opinion, existing valuation models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options because the Company’s employee stock options have significantly different characteristics from those of traded options and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate. The effects of applying SFAS 123 in this pro forma are not indicative of future amounts.

 

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDSIn December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123R, a revision to SFAS No. 123.  SFAS No. 123R eliminates the alternative to use the Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25’s (Opinion 25) intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in SFAS No. 123 as originally issued.

 

Under Opinion 25, issuing stock options to employees generally resulted in recognition of no compensation cost.  SFAS No. 123R requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service, in exchange for the award - the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).  No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service.

 

Companies will initially measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of instruments classified as liabilities  based on its current fair value; the fair value of the awards classified as a liability will be remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date.  Changes in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period.

 

The grant-date fair value of employee share options, or the Company’s restricted stock and similar instruments classified in the balance sheet as equity will be estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments (unless observable market prices for the same or similar instruments are available); the fair value of awards classified as equity will not be remeasured.  If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.

 

Excess tax benefits, as defined by SFAS No. 123R, will be recognized as an addition to paid-in capital.  Cash retained as a result of those excess tax benefits will be presented in the statement of cash flows as financing cash inflows.  The write-off of deferred tax assets relating to unrealized tax benefits associated with recognized compensation cost will be recognized as income tax expense unless there are excess tax benefits from previous awards remaining in paid-in capital to which it can be offset.

 

SFAS No. 123R applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date.  As of the required effective date, companies that used the fair-value-based method for either recognition or disclosure under SFAS No. 123 will apply SFAS No. 123R using a modified version of prospective application.  Under that transition method, compensation cost is recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards calculated under SFAS No. 123 for either recognition or pro forma disclosure.  The cumulative effect of initially applying SFAS No. 123R, if any, is recognized as of the required effective date.  SFAS No. 123R is effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005.  Management estimates that the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will reduce EPS by approximately $.03 per share for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

Note 3—Business Combination

 

On June 18, 2004, the Company completed its acquisition of Access HealthSource, Inc. (“Access”), a third party administrator, from National Center for the Employment of the Disabled.  Access’ results of operations have been included in the Company’s results of operations from that date. The terms of the transaction were such that the Company acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Access for a purchase price of $3,400,000, consisting of 488,486 shares of common stock of the Company valued at $1,400,000 ($2.87 per share based upon the trading price for ten days before closing), and $2,000,000 in cash. Additionally, the Company incurred acquisition costs of investment banking, valuation and legal and accounting fees of $266,231, for a total purchase consideration of $3,666,231.  In addition to the purchase price consideration, there is a contingency payout should the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of Access reach certain amounts after the closing of the transaction and before December 31, 2006.  EBITDA, while not  considered a measure under  accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, is the financial measurement utilized for the basis of the contingency payout and additional purchase price payments are dependent on Access achieving certain EBITDA levels.  The maximum amount of the consideration that may be paid to the seller of Access, including the closing date purchase price consideration and investment banking, valuation and legal and accounting fees, is $9,773,500.  The amount of contingency payments and common stock deliveries based upon EBDITA through December 31, 2006, will be based upon a 3.22 multiple of EBITDA of Access determined on a quarterly basis, with effective adjustments as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Company expects that Access will achieve those EBITDA levels and that, as a result, contingent payouts will be made. However, the amount of payouts through December 31, 2006 cannot be estimated at this time. The contingency payout will be accounted for as a decrease in the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the amount paid, an increase to stockholders’ equity for the fair value issued and a corresponding increase in goodwill for the value of the cash paid and stock issued.

 

F-11



 

The closing purchase price consideration was allocated as follows:

 

Net working capital

 

$

274,263

 

Fixed assets

 

205,936

 

Customer contract

 

1,400,000

 

Goodwill

 

2,304,032

 

Deferred tax liability

 

(518,000

)

Total

 

$

3,666,231

 

 

Net working capital acquired in the transaction included cash of $407,495, resulting in a net cash outlay for the acquisition of $1,858,736. The Company anticipates that the amortization of the acquired intangibles will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes.  The allocation of $2,304,032 to goodwill is considered appropriate, as Access strategically complements the Company’s healthcare service offering.  Access completes the Company’s healthcare offering which is to provide individuals and employee group markets access to preferred provider networks, medical escrow accounts and third party administration capabilities to adjudicate and pay for the medical claims.  From a sales distribution standpoint, the Company has the ability to grow Access’ regional business as the Company has numerous independent marketing representatives who sell both to the individual and employer groups throughout the United States.  The Company’s acquisition of Access serves to complement its most recent entry into the public sector market, with the State of Louisiana.  Access’ primary area of expertise is in the public sector market.  The contract carrying value of $1,400,000, based upon the projected net cash flows from the contract, will be amortized over the contract’s expected life of 10 years.

 

The following financial condensed results of operations presents the Company’s acquisition of Access prepared on a pro-forma basis, as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of 2003.

 

 

 

For the Year Ended
December 31,

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenues

 

$

41,197,971

 

$

48,248,855

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(1,851,905

)

$

4,448,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.15

)

$

0.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.15

)

$

0.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

12,396,114

 

12,337,275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

12,396,114

 

12,412,700

 

 


(1) - For the year ended December 31, 2004, 54,863 shares related to outstanding stock options were not included in the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share because the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Note 4—Notes Receivable

 

During 2004 and 2003, the Company entered into notes receivable with certain private label clients. During 2004, the Company assessed the collectibility of certain of these notes and provided an additional allowance for uncollectible notes.

 

F-12



 

Note 5—Fixed Assets

 

Fixed assets are comprised of the following at December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

$

343,606

 

$

329,660

 

Leasehold improvements

 

160,758

 

193,530

 

Computers and office equipment

 

3,950,943

 

4,271,320

 

Software

 

1,539,767

 

1,175,325

 

Automobiles

 

120,805

 

120,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,115,879

 

6,090,640

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(4,127,124

)

(2,766,230

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets, net

 

$

1,988,755

 

$

3,324,410

 

 

Note 6—Intangible Assets

 

The change in the carrying amount of the Company’s intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2004 is as follows:

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

Contracts

 

Total

 

Intangible assets, balance as of January 1, 2003

 

$

21,077,284

 

 

$

21,077,284

 

Goodwill, acquired during the year

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets, balance as of January 1, 2004

 

21,077,284

 

 

 

21,077,284

 

Goodwill, acquired during the year

 

2,304,032

 

 

2,304,032

 

Contracts, acquired during the year

 

 

$

1,400,000

 

1,400,000

 

Impairment charge

 

(2,000,000

)

 

(2,000,000

)

Intangible assets, balance as of December 31, 2004

 

$

21,381,316

 

$

1,400,000

 

$

22,781,316

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company acquired an intangible asset related to a contract between Access and a customer, as shown in the table above. The contract is expected to have a life of ten years and amortization expense in the amount of $140,000 will be recognized each year beginning January 1, 2005, the effective date of the contract.

 

As reflected in Note 15 – Segmented Information, the healthcare membership program which operates within the Foresight Inc. subsidiary has experienced significant declines in revenue, which has led to operating losses. Therefore, during the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company impaired $2,000,000 of the carrying value of goodwill related to its acquisition of that Foresight Inc. reporting unit, because based upon current and projected revenues and losses, the estimated fair value of our Foresight, Inc. subsidiary was minimal and did not exceed the carrying value of that entity’s net assets. The Company performed the required impairment tests on other goodwill as of the end of 2004, and determined that none of the other goodwill was impaired.

 

Note 7—Capital Leases

 

The Company has several capital leases for office equipment with a net book value of $593,964 and $1,747,683 as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These lease purchases have been capitalized at the present value of fair market value using an interest rate of 8.5% to 9.5% and are being depreciated over their estimated useful lives. The following is a schedule by years of future minimum lease payments under capital leases together with the present value of the net lease payments as of December 31, 2004:

 

2005

 

$

566,060

 

2006

 

87,048

 

2007

 

13,025

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

666,133

 

Less: Amount representing executory costs

 

(51,567

)

Less: Amount representing interest

 

(23,080

)

Present value of minimum lease payments

 

$

591,486

 

 

F-13



 

The following is a schedule of capital leases in effect as of  December 31,:

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Capital lease assets

 

$

3,055,349

 

$

3,067,700

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(2,461,385

)

(1,320,017

)

Net book value

 

$

593,964

 

$

1,747,683

 

Capital lease obligation

 

$

591,486

 

$

1,662,432

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, amortization of capitalized lease assets in the amounts of $1,344,441, $1,536,294 and $427,138, respectively, were included in depreciation and amortization expense.

 

Note 8—Stockholders’ Equity

 

Pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 102,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”).

 

On July 8, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of our common stock through open market or private purchase transactions over the next year depending on prevailing market conditions.  Through December 31, 2004, the Company has purchased 255,946 shares under this authorization for a total  consideration of $681,537 at a weighted average  price of $2.66  per share.

 

Month

 

Quantity
Purchased

 

Weighted
Avg. Stock
Price/Share

 

Total Cost

 

July

 

21,000

 

2.62

 

$

54,984

 

August

 

55,201

 

2.58

 

142,450

 

September

 

56,191

 

3.01

 

169,242

 

October

 

29,200

 

2.75

 

80,261

 

November

 

37,464

 

2.49

 

93,319

 

December

 

56,890

 

2.48

 

141,281

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2004

 

255,946

 

2.66

 

$

681,537

 

 

Note 9—Common Stock Options

 

As of December 31, 2004, the Company has three stock-based compensation plans as described below.

 

In November 1999, our Board of Directors restated and adopted our 1999 Stock Option Plan with an effective date of November 30, 1999. The Company has reserved 700,000 shares of our common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under this plan. Under the 1999 Stock Option Plan, the Board can determine the date on which options can vest and become exercisable as well as the term of the options granted.

 

In July 2002, our shareholders adopted our 2002 Non Employee Stock Option Plan with an effective date of July 29, 2002. The Company has reserved 500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under this plan. Under the 2002 Non Employee Stock Option Plan, the Board can determine the date on which options can vest and become exercisable as well as the term of the options granted. As of December 31, 2004, the number of shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2002 Non Employee Stock Option Plan is 286,000.

 

In July 2002, our shareholders adopted our 2002 IMR Stock Option Plan with an effective date of July 29 2002. The Company has reserved 500,000 shares of our common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options granted under this plan. Under the 2002 IMR Stock Option Plan, the Board can determine the date on which options can vest and become exercisable as well as the term of the options granted. On January 29, 2003, the Board approved a motion effective June 1, 2003 for the discontinuance of any further stock option grants under the 2002 IMR Stock Option Plan.

 

On June 29, 2003, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to increase the number of shares reserved under our 1999 Stock Option Plan from 700,000 to 1,400,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of options under this plan. Under the 1999 Stock Option Plan, the Board can determine the date on which options can vest and become exercisable as well as the term of the option granted. As of December 31, 2004, the number of shares remaining available for future issuance under the 1999 Stock Option Plan is 984,750.

 

F-14



 

Information with respect to stock options outstanding to certain employees, directors and service providers are as follows:

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

991,014

 

5.73

 

Granted at market value

 

845,500

 

3.20

 

Exercised

 

(8,750

)

3.55

 

Forfeited

 

(338,000

)

7.02

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

1,489,764

 

4.01

 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

Outstanding
At 12/31/04

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Outstanding
12/31/04

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1.25 to $1.87

 

40,000

 

1.0

 

$

1.25

 

40,000

 

1.25

 

$2.40 to $3.55

 

652,566

 

4.4

 

2.84

 

300,441

 

2.95

 

$3.82 to $5.25

 

630,460

 

4.1

 

4.35

 

216,710

 

4.81

 

$5.78 to $8.51

 

137,738

 

3.4

 

7.61

 

130,238

 

7.72

 

$9.37 to $9.50

 

29,000

 

2.2

 

9.50

 

15,125

 

9.50

 

 

 

1,489,764

 

4.0

 

4.01

 

702,514

 

4.45

 

 

The weighted average fair value stock price of stock options granted for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $1.47.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2004, 172,000 stock options were granted to the Company’s directors. These stock options had a weighted average exercise price of $2.94 and are immediately exercisable. The total outstanding stock options held by Directors as of December 31, 2004 was 498,000 with a weighted average exercise price of $4.29. The Company’s directors did not exercise and/or forfeit any stock options for the year ended December 31, 2004. The life of the stock options granted to directors is generally 5 years.

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

768,073

 

$

6.84

 

Granted

 

479,000

 

$

4.49

 

Exercised

 

(20,600

)

$

3.83

 

Forfeited

 

(235,459

)

$

6.84

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

991,014

 

$

5.73

 

 

F-15



 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

Outstanding
At 12/31/03

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Outstanding
12/31/03

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

$1.00 to $3.00

 

85,066

 

5.7

 

$

2.07

 

85,066

 

$

2.07

 

$3.00 to $5.00

 

343,050

 

4.0

 

$

3.99

 

136,925

 

$

3.70

 

$5.00 to $7.00

 

224,660

 

4.7

 

$

5.26

 

131,410

 

$

5.24

 

$7.00 to $8.00

 

100,000

 

3.6

 

$

7.65

 

100,000

 

$

7.65

 

$8.00 to $9.00

 

23,738

 

8.2

 

$

8.51

 

23,738

 

$

8.51

 

$9.00 to $10.00

 

214,500

 

3.2

 

$

9.39

 

190,875

 

$

9.38

 

 

 

991,014

 

4.1

 

$

5.73

 

668,014

 

$

6.18

 

 

The weighted average fair value stock price of stock options granted for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $1.88.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2003, 102,000 stock options were granted to the Company’s directors. These stock options had a weighted average exercise price of $4.94 and are immediately exercisable. The total stock options granted to Directors as of December 31, 2003 was 266,000 with a weighted average exercise price of $5.52. The Company’s directors did not exercise and/or forfeit any stock options for the year ended December 31, 2003. The life of the stock options granted to directors is generally 5 years.

 

 

 

2002

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

530,397

 

$

5.76

 

Granted at market value

 

488,788

 

$

8.02

 

Exercised

 

(124,612

)

$

5.44

 

Forfeited

 

(126,500

)

$

8.25

 

Outstanding at end of year

 

768,073

 

$

6.84

 

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 

 

Options Exercisable

 

 

 

Outstanding
At 12/31/02

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years)

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Outstanding
12/31/02

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1.00 to $2.00

 

30,000

 

3.0

 

$

1.25

 

30,000

 

$

1.25

 

$3.00 to $4.00

 

189,175

 

3.7

 

$

3.60

 

37,840

 

$

3.58

 

$5.00 to $6.00

 

93,160

 

3.3

 

$

5.18

 

93,160

 

$

3.60

 

$7.00 to $8.00

 

125,000

 

3.3

 

$

7.65

 

100,000

 

$

7.65

 

$8.00 to $9.00

 

23,738

 

4.0

 

$

8.51

 

23,738

 

$

8.51

 

$9.00 to $10.00

 

307,000

 

2.7

 

$

9.45

 

150,000

 

$

9.34

 

 

 

768,073

 

3.2

 

$

6.85

 

434,738

 

$

6.62

 

 

F-16



 

The weighted average fair value stock price of stock options granted for the year ended December 31, 2002 was $3.27.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2002, 112,000 stock options were granted to the Company’s directors. These stock options had a weighted average exercise price of $7.37 and are immediately exercisable. The total stock options granted to Directors as of December 31, 2002 was 164,000 with a weighted average exercise price of $5.88. The Company’s directors did not exercise and/or forfeit any stock options for the year ended December 31, 2002. The life of the stock options granted to directors is generally 5 years.

 

In connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the Company agreed to sell to the underwriter warrants exercisable for the purchase of 100,000 shares of common stock for $9.00 per share during a five-year period. The holders of these warrants will have the right through February 10, 2005, to include such warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon their exercise in any registration statement or amendment to a registration statement of the Company at no expense to such holders. As of December 31, 2003, 16,500 of these warrants had been exercised at a per share price of $9.00.

 

In November 2000, 200,000 stock options were provided to the Company’s underwriter exercisable for the purchase of 200,000 shares of common stock for $9.37 per share. 17,000 of these stock options were exercised during 2003 before their expiration on June 30, 2003.

 

Note 10—Income Taxes

 

The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 consists of:

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Current provision

 

$

306,057

 

$

2,292,175

 

$

2,881,852

 

Deferred provision

 

(1,040,638

)

118,891

 

(7,000

)

Provision for income taxes

 

$

(734,581

)

$

2,411,066

 

$

2,874,852

 

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 are comprised of:

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Deferred income tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

$

760,681

 

$

760,681

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

76,772

 

 

Depreciation and impairment of fixed assets

 

282,301

 

 

Goodwill

 

515,409

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

166,205

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

1,801,368

 

760,681

 

Deferred income tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

137,372

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

13,220

 

Intangible asset basis differences

 

518,000

 

124,052

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

655,272

 

137,272

 

Deferred tax asset, net

 

$

1,146,096

 

$

623,409

 

 

At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2,174,000, expiring at various dates through 2020. The Company’s ability to use these losses to offset future taxable income is subject to an annual limitation of approximately $192,000 under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate for continuing operations differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate as follows:

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Federal statutory rate

 

(34.0

)%

35.0

%

35.0

%

State tax

 

8.1

%

2.9

%

 

Other

 

(1.4

)%

(0.8

)%

(0.6

)%

 

 

(27.3

)%

37.1

%

34.4

%

 

F-17



 

Note 11—Earnings Per Share

 

The Company’s earnings or (loss) per share data was computed as follows:

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,478,363

 

Less: Preferred stock dividends

 

(—

)

(—

)

(14,137

)

Net (loss) earnings applicable to common shareholders

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,464,226

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year

 

11,921,946

 

11,848,789

 

11,790,650

 

Basic (loss) earnings per share

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.35

 

$

0.46

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,478,363

 

Less: Preferred stock dividends

 

(—

)

(—

)

$

(14,137

)

Net (loss) earnings applicable to common shareholders

 

$

(1,955,952

)

$

4,089,326

 

$

5,464,226

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year

 

11,921,946

 

11,848,789

 

11,790,650

 

Stock options

 

 

75,425

 

205,572

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year-assumed conversion

 

11,921,946

 

11,924,214

 

11,996,222

 

Diluted (loss) earnings per share

 

$

(0.16

)

$

0.34

 

$

0.46

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2004, 54,863 shares related to outstanding stock options were not included in the calculation of fully diluted earnings per share because the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

The number of stock options and warrants that were considered out-of-the-money for purposes of the diluted earnings per share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 was  555,898 and 491,500, respectively.

 

Note 12—Contingencies

 

In September 2003, the Company was served with a lawsuit. The plaintiffs of this lawsuit have alleged that in May 2002 they were not allowed to exercise stock options and warrants issued by the Company. The plaintiffs are claiming damages based on the difference of the fair market value of the stock price of $15.75 and their exercise prices of $9.00 per share of common stock for each of the 61,000 warrants and $9.37 per share of common stock for each of the 185,000 stock options of the Company for potential damages of approximately $1.6 million. The Company believes that there are no merits to the plaintiffs’ arguments, as the plaintiffs never rendered their stock option and warrant exercise documents to the Company, nor did they comply with their terms of agreement regarding the manner in which the stock options and warrants should be exercised; however, the lawsuit remains pending and no assurances as to its outcome may be given.

 

In August and September 2003, the Company was served with two lawsuits arising out of the same set of facts. The two lawsuits were consolidated into one case now pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The principal plaintiffs were members of our Care Entrée™ program. They allege that a provider listed as participating in our program refused to honor their membership card. The plaintiffs, in addition to seeking damages for the alleged failure of our services, also seek damages under various consumer protection statutes in the State of California and for injunctive relief that may affect our ability to do business in California. These damages may include all fees we have received from members in California for the past four (4) years. We believe that we have complied with all applicable regulations. We have fully settled the case with one of the two plaintiffs and have partially settled the case with the remaining set of plaintiffs.   The remaining portion of the case remains pending and no assurances as to its outcome may be given.

 

F-18



 

The Company has accrued $187,500 as of December 31, 2004 to provide for costs of defense and possible settlement of pending and threatened litigation, including those matters described above. The Company accrues the cost of defending and settling pending and threatened claims and litigation, including legal fees to be incurred in such defense, when in its judgment such costs are estimable and probably will be incurred.

 

In January 1999, the former parent of Foresight, Inc., Universal Marketing Services, Inc., purchased the outstanding common stock of Foresight, Inc. for $4,540,000. Universal Marketing Services agreed to indemnify the former owners of the common stock of Foresight, Inc. for the increase in federal income taxes and any applicable penalties to the extent that $4,540,000 of the purchase price does not qualify for long-term capital gain treatment. These former shareholders reported $4,540,000 of the purchase price as long-term capital gain. In connection with the Company’s merger- acquisition of Foresight, Inc., the Company assumed the indemnification obligation of Universal Marketing Services. Upon examination, the Internal Revenue Service may take the position that a portion of the $4,540,000 should be classified as ordinary income taxable at the maximum federal income tax rate of 39.6% rather than the long-term capital gain 20% rate. In the event the Internal Revenue Service successfully asserts that long-term capital gain classification was improper, the Company will be required to indemnify the former shareholders.

 

The Company has an unused letter of credit in the amount of $1,500,000 obtained on commercial terms. The letter of credit is due to expire on June 6, 2005.

 

On June 18, 2004, the Company completed its acquisition of Access HealthSource, Inc. (“Access”), a third party administrator, from National Center for the Employment of the Disabled for a purchase price of $3,400,000, consisting of 488,486 shares of common stock of the Company valued at $1,400,000 ($2.87 per share), and $2,000,000 in cash.  In addition to the purchase price consideration, there is a contingency payout should the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of Access reach certain amounts after the closing of the transaction and before December 31, 2006.  EBITDA, while not  considered a measure under  accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, is the financial measurement utilized for the basis of the contingency payout and additional purchase price payments are dependent on Access achieving certain EBITDA levels.  The maximum amount of the consideration that may be paid to the seller of Access, including the closing date purchase price consideration and investment banking, valuation and legal and accounting fees, is $9,773,500.  The amount of contingency payments and common stock deliveries based upon EBDITA through December 31, 2006, will be based upon a 3.22 multiple of EBITDA of Access determined on a quarterly basis, with effective adjustments as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006. The Company expects that Access will achieve those EBITDA levels and that, as a result, contingent payouts will be made. However, the amount of payouts through December 31, 2006 cannot be estimated at this time. The contingency payout will be accounted for as a decrease in the Company’s cash and cash equivalents for the amount paid, an increase to stockholders’ equity for the fair value issued and a corresponding increase in goodwill for the value of the cash paid and stock issued.

 

Note 13—Operating Leases

 

The Company has leased various office spaces and certain machinery and equipment through December 15, 2006. Future lease commitments on this space, machinery and equipment are as follows:

 

2005

 

$

427,177

 

2006

 

361,997

 

Total

 

$

789,174

 

 

Management expects that leases currently in effect will be renewed or replaced with other leases of a similar nature and term. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company recognized rent expense related to office space and equipment in the amounts of $514,704, $390,732 and $408,116, respectively.

 

Note 14—Employee Benefit Plan

 

The Company has adopted a retirement plan which includes a 401(k) deferred compensation feature. All employees who have completed at least six months of service and are 21 years of age or older may participate in the plan. The Company makes

 

F-19



 

matching contributions of up to 50% of a participant’s contributions limited to 3% of the participant’s annual compensation. The Company matching contributions vest 20% per year and become fully vested after the participant has 6 or more years of service. During 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company made $32,327, $43,026 and  $33,346, respectively, in matching contributions to the Plan. All contributions by participants are fully vested.

 

Note 15—Segmented Information

 

The Company discloses segment information in accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” which requires companies to report selected segment information on a quarterly basis and to report certain entity-wide disclosures about products and services, major customers, and the material countries in which the entity holds assets and reports revenues. The Company has four reportable segments: healthcare savings cards, self-funded employer healthcare administration, non-healthcare membership programs and financial services. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic divisions that offer different services and are managed separately as each division requires different resources and marketing strategies.  Our healthcare savings card segment, our largest segment, offers savings on healthcare services to persons who are un-insured, under-insured, or who have elected to purchase only high deductible or limited benefit medical insurance policies, by providing access to the same preferred provider organizations (PPOs) that are utilized by many insurance companies and employers who self-fund at least a portion of their employees’ healthcare risk. These programs are sold primarily through a network marketing strategy.  Our self-funded employer healthcare administration segment provides a wide range of healthcare claims administration services and other cost containment procedures that are frequently required by governments and other large employers who have chosen to self fund their healthcare benefits requirements.  Our non-healthcare membership division offers non-healthcare related membership programs for rental-purchase companies, financial organizations, employer groups, retailers and association-based organizations. Substantially all of our non-healthcare related membership service programs are offered and sold at retail by clients engaged in the rental-purchase industry.  Our financial services segment provides high deductible and scheduled benefit insurance policies, life insurance and annuities and health savings accounts, healthcare reimbursement arrangements and medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 2, intersegment sales are not material and and all intersegment transfers are eliminated. During 2004, the Company increased the number of segments from one to four, excluding its corporate activities.

 

No one customer represents more than 5% of the Company’s overall revenue. Therefore, the Company does not believe it has a material reliance on any one customer. The Company operates in substantially all of the fifty states in the U.S. but not in any foreign countries.

 

The Company evaluates segment performance based on revenues and income before provision for income taxes. The Company does not allocate income taxes or unusual items to the segments. The following table summarizes segment information:

 

F-20



 

2004

 

Healthcare
Savings

 

Employee
Healthcare

 

Membership
Programs

 

Financial
Services

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

32,988,293

 

$

3,670,374

 

$

926,077

 

$

733,952

 

$

 

$

38,318,696

 

Income/Loss before Taxes (1)

 

2,615,097

 

465,204

 

(1,212,949

)

(1,062,490

)

(3,495,395

)

(2,690,533

)

Interest Expense (Income)

 

 

 

 

 

56,558

 

56,558

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

 

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

2,000,000

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

2,233,866

 

58,474

 

12,708

 

17,843

 

 

2,322,891

 

Taxes (Benefit) (2)

 

 

 

 

 

(734,581

)

(734,581

)

Assets Acquired, net of disposals

 

657,804

 

584,721

 

(1,585

)

43,266

 

1,310,851

 

2,595,057

 

Intangible Assets (2)

 

 

 

 

 

22,781,316

 

22,781,316

 

Assets Held

 

10,742,866

 

8,636,346

 

1,634,122

 

89,920

 

20,871,362

 

41,974,616

 

 

2003

 

Healthcare
Savings

 

Employee
Healthcare

 

Membership
Programs

 

Financial
Services

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

39,850,213

 

$

 

$

1,862,885

 

$

374,573

 

$

 

$

42,087,671

 

Income/Loss before Taxes

 

7,722,236

 

 

(302,393

)

(116,535

)

(802,916

)

6,500,392

 

Interest Expense (Income)

 

 

 

 

 

149,969

 

149,969

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

2,039,231

 

 

21,811

 

868

 

 

2,061,910

 

Taxes (2)

 

 

 

 

 

2,411,066

 

2,411,066

 

Assets Acquired, net of disposals

 

934,335

 

 

8,027

 

17,178

 

(14,196

)

945,344

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

21,077,284

 

21,077,284

 

Assets Held

 

11,212,479

 

 

1,499,075

 

19,962

 

28,082,148

 

40,813,664

 

 

2002

 

Healthcare
Savings

 

Employee
Healthcare

 

Membership
Programs

 

Financial
Services

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

40,335,434

 

$

 

$

2,661,422

 

$

118,810

 

$

 

$

43,115,666

 

Income/Loss before Taxes

 

8,892,725

 

 

460,019

 

(438,746

)

(560,783

)

8,353,215

 

Interest Expense (Income)

 

 

 

 

 

64,437

 

64,437

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

885,216

 

 

54,900

 

 

 

940,116

 

Taxes (2)

 

 

 

 

 

2,874,852

 

2,874,852

 

Assets Acquired, net of disposals

 

920,408

 

 

 

 

 

920,408

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

21,077,284

 

21,077,284

 

Assets Held

 

10,737,336

 

 

1,179,525

 

52,737

 

23,086,088

 

35,055,686

 

 


(1)          – The loss before provision for income taxes for 2004 for the non-healthcare membership program segment excludes a $2,000,000 charge for impairment of goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition of Foresight Inc. in 2000 as such unusual charges are not allocated to the related segment. That charge is included in the loss at the corporate level.

 

(2)          – Intangible assets and income tax expense (benefit) are not allocated to the assets and operations of the related segment.

 

Note 16—Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The following table summarizes activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

Description

 

Balance at
Beginning of
Period

 

Additions
Charged to Costs
and Expenses

 

Deductions-
Describe (1)

 

Balance at End
of Period

 

Year Ended December 31, 2004:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deducted from assets accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

204,786

 

$

1,012,253

 

$

997,692

 

$

219,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

204,786

 

$

1,012,253

 

$

997,692

 

$

219,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deducted from assets accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

 

$

211,635

 

$

6,849

 

$

204,786

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

 

$

211,635

 

$

6,849

 

$

204,786

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deducted from assets accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)           Uncollectible accounts written off

 

F-21